Strike action by trade union ASLEF taking place on the 13th of August means that no Southeastern trains will operate.
The rail operator has cautioned people against travelling by trains on Saturday the 13th of August and if travel is necessary to find alternative methods of transport.
No Southeastern train will operate in Kent, East Sussex or south-east London including the Medway Towns, Tonbridge, Maidstone and the Weald, Thanet, Canterbury, Folkestone and Dover. No Highspeed trains will be in operation.
No Southeastern train will be in operation on the Hastings line or branch lines such as Sittingbourne to Sheppey, the Medway Valley Line and the Grove Park to Bromley North line.
No rail replacement buses or taxis will be available during the strike.
The following reduced timetable will be in operation on Saturday the 13th of August:
- Woolwich line – NO SERVICE
- Bexleyheath – NO SERVICE
- Sidcup line – NO SERVICE
- Hayes line – NO SERVICE
- Grove Park line – NO SERVICE
- Bromley South line – NO SERVICE
- Sole Street line – NO SERVICE
- Maidstone East line – NO SERVICE
- Paddock Wood line – NO SERVICE
- Hastings line – NO SERVICE
- Medway Valley line – NO SERVICE
- Sheerness line – NO SERVICE
- Highspeed via Ashford – NO SERVICE
- Highspeed via Gravesend – NO SERVICE
Scott Brightwell, Southeastern's Operations and Safety Director, said: “Due to strike action we will not be able to run any trains at all, and so we'd strongly advise our passengers not to attempt to travel by train, and to make another plan if they do need to travel. We apologise for the obvious inconvenience this causes.”
From the 9th of August, the journey planner will be fully up to date with customers able to assess the impact on their travel plans using Southeastern's website which features comprehensive information and advice. Information is also available on the website for customers requiring refunds or for those with unused tickets who choose not to travel.
Customers who have already purchased a ticket will be able to apply for a refund if they do not travel:
- Daily ticket holders are able to claim a full refund with no admin fee if they opt not to travel.
- Advance ticket holders are able to apply for a full refund with no admin fee, the tickets can also be returned to the original retailer in exchange for an eVoucher which can be used to buy a ticket in the future. eVouchers Are valid for 12 months from the issue date.
- Season ticket holders (Flexi, monthly or longer) can use Delay Repay to claim day travel back if they opt not to travel on days with strike action. When making the claim, make sure to choose the reason for delay as ‘Industrial Action – did not travel'. Customers with Flexi tickets must have activated the pass for the day being claimed in order to receive Delay Repay.
- Weekly tickets – it is recommended that customers do not buy a weekly season ticket during the industrial action. If you have already purchased a weekly ticket please visit Southeastern's refunds page in order to claim a partial refund.
Customers travelling who encounter a delay for 15 minutes or more are entitled to Delay Repay compensation.
For up-to-date information please check the Southeastern website, follow on Twitter or sign up to receive service updates regarding the planned industrial action.
