Rail passengers are being warned of recent disruption to companies due to a deliberate strike by prepare drivers at 9 firms within the long-running row over pay and situations.
Industry leaders stated the 24-hour walkout by members of the Aslef union subsequent Saturday, August 13, coincides with one other busy weekend of soccer, with Premier League video games in Manchester, London, Birmingham and Brighton more likely to be affected.
Timetables shall be revealed on August 9, however passengers are being suggested to comply with the newest journey recommendation, examine earlier than they set off, and permit additional time for their journey.
Other firms not concerned within the strike shall be working trains, however these are anticipated to be busy.
The strikes will have an effect on Arriva Rail London, Avanti West Coast, Crosscountry, Greater Anglia (together with Stansted Express), Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, London Overground, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains.
Passengers are additionally suggested to contemplate beginning journeys afterward Sunday August 14.
Passengers with advance, off-peak or anytime tickets affected by the strike can use their ticket both on the day earlier than the date on the ticket, or as much as and together with Tuesday August 16, or can change their tickets to journey on an alternate date, or get a refund if their prepare is cancelled or rescheduled.
Ttrains in sidings close to Ashford railway station in Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA)
(PA Wire)
Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, stated: “We’re really disappointed that the Aslef leadership has, for the second time in as many weeks, decided to impose yet more uncertainty for passengers and businesses by disrupting passengers’ weekend plans.
“I will reiterate what I’ve previously said – I am ready and willing to talk to the leadership of Aslef today, tomorrow or indeed any time next week. They should call off next week’s action and talk to us instead. What our passengers and our staff expect is for us to talk and work out a way through this.
“While we will do all that we can to minimise disruption and to get passengers where they need to be, if you are going to travel on the routes affected, please plan ahead and check the latest travel advice.
“Like any service or business, things do not just stand still and we must move with the times. We want to give our people a pay rise as we know everyone is feeling the pinch due to the cost-of-living rises.
“We have to find the money somewhere as we cannot continue to ask taxpayers or passengers for more, so we must modernise and adapt to changes in passenger behaviour.
“By making these necessary reforms, such as ending the reliance on volunteer working at weekend, we improve punctuality, have more resilient Sunday services, and use those savings to give our people a pay rise, which has always been what we want to do.
“Further strikes will see our people out of pocket and mean less money to fund a pay rise, so we urge the Aslef leadership to come and talk to us so we can reach a deal that is fair to staff and taxpayers, and which secures a bright, long-term future for our railway.”
Further strike motion by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and Unite has been introduced for August 18 and 20, in addition to a separate RMT walkout on London Underground on August 19.
