More strike misery on its way for New Year train passengers
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The rail industry is gearing up for five days of strikes in early January called by the RMT and ASLEF leaderships which will mean that only a limited number of trains can run.
Only around 20 per cent of rail services will operate and half of the network will shut down because of the RMT strike on January 3, 4, 6 and 7.
There are likely to be even fewer services on January 5 due to a strike by drivers who belong to ASLEF
Special timetables for the RMT strike dates have been published on National Rail Enquiries and train company websites while the schedule for services during the ASLEF strike on January 5 will be issued on Thursday.
On all five days trains will start later and finish much earlier than usual, between 7.30am and 6.30pm.
Passengers who must travel should expect disruption, plan ahead and check when their last train will depart.
The RMT leadership has also put in place an overtime ban across 14 train operators until January 2 which may lead to short-notice cancellations with wide regional variations over the next few days.
The industry is reminding passengers to expect significant disruption too today (Tuesday) and to check the latest travel advice.
Rail passengers are being reminded to:
• only travel if it is absolutely necessary during this time.
• Allow extra time and check when their first and last trains will depart.
There may also be some possible disruption to services on Sunday 8 January as workers return to their duties.
Rail bosses have said thousands of specially trained and fully qualified back-up staff will step in during the RMT walkouts on 3-4 and 6-7 January to keep vital services running for those who need them.
The walkout by train drivers taking part in a strike called by ASLEF will affect 15 operators.
The RMT ban on overtime is in place at 14 train operating companies and will continue to affect the level of cancellations and the punctuality of some services.
This action may particularly affect those travelling out of London late in the evening on New Year’s Eve and passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance.
Daniel Mann, director of industry operations at the Rail Delivery Group, said: “No-one wants to see these strikes go ahead, and we can only apologise to passengers and to the many businesses who will be hit by this unnecessary and damaging disruption.
“We would advise passengers to only travel if it is absolutely necessary during this period, allow extra time and check when their first and last train will depart.
"Passengers with tickets for between 3-7 January can use their ticket the day before the ticket date, or up to and including Tuesday 10 January.
"This dispute will only be resolved by agreeing the long overdue reforms to working arrangements needed to put the industry on a sustainable footing, rather than unions condemning their members to losing more pay in the new year.”
Tickets for January 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 can be used the day before the date on the ticket, or up to and including Tuesday 10 January.
Passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.
If the Advance ticket is for a train scheduled for a strike day, but it is not cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, and a customer prefers not to travel, they should contact their ticket retailer.
Trains running on days either side of strike days are likely to be extremely busy and a seat cannot be guaranteed. Customers are advised to check with their operator before travelling.
