A further special ‘strike day' timetable is to be put in place on Wednesday the 27th of July as the fourth day of national strike action takes place.
The strike action is being called for by leaders of the RMT and will bring unnecessary and completely avoidable disruption for rail passengers and comes after strike action which took place in June. Thousands of fully qualified and specially-trained backup staff will step in throughout the walkout in order to keep essential services running for those who need them.
Just 20% of services will run over 50% of the network and passengers are being urged to only travel by train if they have to, and if that is the case to leave extra time, and to check what time their last train departs.
Passengers with advance, off-peak or anytime tickets purchased on a strike day are able to use it for travel the day before or up to and including Tuesday the 2nd of August. Passengers are also able to change their tickets to a different date or get a refund if their train is cancelled or rescheduled.
Passengers with monthly or longer season tickets or Flexi season tickets with activated days' worth of travel who opt not to travel on the 27th or 30th of July are able to claim compensation for the days via the Delay Repay Scheme. Further information can be found on the National Rail website.
Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said:
“Despite our best efforts to find a breakthrough, I'm afraid there will be more disruption for passengers next week as the RMT seems hell-bent on continuing their political campaigning, rather than compromising and agreeing a deal for their members.
“I can only apologise for the impact this pointless strike will have on passengers, especially those travelling for holidays or attending events such as the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 semi-final (Wednesday 27th) and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (Thursday 28th). It is frustrating to yet again ask our passengers to change their plans and only make essential journeys.”
Approximately half of Britain's rail network will be open on the 27th of July operating very limited services running on lines that can only be open from 7.30am to 6.30pm. Passengers who have to travel are advised to make sure that they can complete their journeys within this time frame and an example of this would be the last services from London to Scotland will leave during the early afternoon.
Passengers also need to be aware of disruption on the morning of Thursday the 28th of July as services will start later as employees return to their duties.
Steve Montgomery, Chair of the Rail Delivery Group, said:
“We are incredibly disappointed that the RMT and Aslef leadership are continuing with this action, disrupting the summer plans of millions – including those attending the Commonwealth Games.
“While we will do all that we can to minimise disruption to passengers, our advice is to only travel if it is necessary, and if you are going to travel, please plan ahead. If you're not able to travel, you can use your ticket either the day before or up to and including 2 August, otherwise, you will be able to change your ticket or claim a refund.
“We have a responsibility to bring our railway up to date and give our passengers a more punctual and reliable service so that we're able to give our staff the pay rise they deserve. But it is wrong to continue asking taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden when they have already contributed £600 per household during the pandemic, or to expect passengers to fund it by paying more for their tickets when they too are feeling the pinch.
“We ask the RMT and Aslef's leadership to continue talking so we can come to a deal that works for our people, our passengers and for taxpayers.”
Separate from the strike action mentioned above, Aslef has called strike action for eight rail operators on Saturday the 30th of July which will see substantial disruption for some routes, a 24-hour strike by Aslef members on the Greater Anglia network will also take place on Saturday the 23rd of July. Passengers are once again asked to check their travel ahead of making their journeys on both dates. Further information is available via the National Rail website.
