Transport bosses have issued a warning to the public across Greater 'not to get caught out' as the rail strike enters its third day on Saturday - the first weekend day of the industrial action. The action means Manchester Piccadilly railway station will close at 7pm on Saturday.
And Network Rail has revealed a 'hugely reduced Saturday service' will mean many routes will have no trains at all. Many last trains will leave between 3pm and 5pm - and arrive at their final destinations before 7pm.
Only a fifth of services will run and half of all lines will be closed as 40,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 13 train operators walk out for the third day this week. Operators are telling passengers they should “only travel by train if necessary” and to check their journey in advance.
Many commuters were able to avoid the disruption caused by strikes on Tuesday and Thursday by working from home, but people with long-standing plans to travel by train on Saturday – such as for a day trip or holiday, a visit to friends or relatives, or to attend an event – may be keen to press ahead with their trip despite the industrial action.
Many seaside resorts will have no services on Saturday, including Bournemouth, Dorset; Blackpool, Lancashire; Margate, Kent; Llandudno, north Wales; and Skegness, Lincolnshire. Cornwall will also have no trains. Stockport railway station will also be closed.
Avanti West Coast said one train per hour from Euston to each of Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Preston would run, with a limited service onwards to Glasgow. These trains will operate during limited hours, with the first train of the day departing Euston just before 8am and the last train of the day from Euston departing mid-afternoon.
The first train from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston will be at 7.56am, with the last train to Manchester from Euston at 2.47pm.
No resolution to the bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions has been reached despite talks this week. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said its members are “standing up for all working people trying to get a pay rise and some job security”.
He continued: “In a modern economy, workers need to be properly rewarded for their work, enjoy good conditions and have the peace of mind that their job will not be taken away from them. (Transport Secretary) Grant Shapps needs to get in the room or get out of the way so we can negotiate with these companies who we have successfully struck dozens of deals with previously.
“What we cannot accept is thousands of railway workers being thrown on the scrapheap after being praised as heroes during Covid.
Network Rail said: "Passengers planning on travelling during a third day of RMT strike action this Saturday are being warned not to get caught out with trains finishing much earlier than normal.
"Many last trains will leave between 3pm and 5pm and arrive at their final destinations before 7pm. Manchester Piccadilly station will close completely at 7pm on Saturday evening. People are once again being advised to only travel by rail if necessary tomorrow - Saturday - because of the continuing staff walkouts by RMT union members."
Passengers who still need to travel are being urged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk so they know exactly what to expect, as well as checking the websites of train operators.
"Network Rail is trying to give passengers the best service it possibly can but trains will be significantly reduced or not running at all on some routes," added bosses. "The 20 per cent of trains which will be running will only operate between 7:30am and 6:30pm. The full rail network will be open on Sunday 26 June, but some disruption is still expected and passengers should continue to check before they travel."
Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: "We've been working hard all week negotiating with the RMT union and it's hugely disappointing our two sides have not been able to reach a compromise, leading to a third, damaging day of strike action which will now impact weekend rail travel.
"I'm hugely sorry that people’s family and leisure time will be disrupted, and for those who will once again struggle getting to work. Our advice is to please only travel if you must and regularly check National Rail Enquiries as the few services which will be running will finish early in the afternoon and I don’t want people to be caught out unable to get home again from a day trip."
Phil Whittingham, Avanti West Coast managing director, said: "Weekends have seen very strong growth in passenger numbers over recent months and we're concerned that many who travel at weekends will be less frequent rail users and may not realise the huge impact industrial action will have.
"On Saturday (25 June) our first trains will leave later in the day and the last train to destinations will set off much earlier than normal. The reduced timetable will also have significant impact on Sunday too. So we’re strongly advising customers to only travel if absolutely necessary and instead make their journeys on alternative days or claim a full refund. If customers have no choice but to travel they should check our website for the latest updates before setting off."
READ NEXT:
