The first day of the biggest train strikes since the '80s has kicked off today in Leeds.
Major networks including Northern, LNER, Cross Country and Transpennine will have "extremely limited availability", as 50,000 staff members join in union to get better pay and working conditions. 60 per cent of journeys are expected to be impacted today, Thursday, and Saturday.
Rail services will run today from 7.30am and the last train will depart from Leeds City Station at 5.35pm - leaving the station shut for the rest of the evening. The station was far from the usual hustle and bustle this Tuesday morning, as the station appeared deserted with empty seats, and a "strange feeling in the air", one eyewitness said.
Read more: Live Leeds train strike updates as stations deserted with warning not to travel
The strikes come during a difficult time for many during the height of the cost of living crisis. A number of passengers shared their experiences with Leeds Live, with many saying the combination of living costs, Arriva bus strikes, air travel, fuel prices and now train strikes is proving difficult to deal with.
However many said regardless of the train strikes being an inconvenience, they agree with the trainline workers' decision to strike.
'It's a tough time for everyone, but much tougher if your employer is not treating you well'
Kandy, who is from Leeds, was supposed to be travelling to Glasgow on Tuesday but decided against it because of the strikes.
She had visited Paris for a business trip. She always planned to go from Paris to Leeds, and then onto Scotland but she said despite the inconvenience of her journey being interrupted she does back those choosing to strike.
"I was meant to be going to Glasgow today for work, but that has been cancelled because of the strikes. So I have been affected and I have had to reschedule, but I don't feel inconvenienced.
"I think people aren't just going on strike willy nilly - I don't know exactly what the issues are or why they feel they need to do this but if they have strong reasons why, I back them.
"It is a tough time for everyone, but how much tougher is it if your employer is not treating you well. It is a really tough environment." Another resident, Helen Turner said: "Solidarity with all striking staff."
'It needs to be fair'
Sophie, who was travelling on Monday morning, said: "The staff need to be looked after first. For the trains to run smoothly we have to think about the staff.
"If I was a staff member I would think I'll go on strike. The cost of living is too high so who wants to be running up and down trying to sort this.
"I know it is not a good thing to go on strike but we are talking about staff who are people as well. There is no wrong or right but it needs to be fair."
Strikes dubbed 'unnecessary'
Fatin took her friend to the train station on Monday morning around 11am, after she was visiting from Malaysia. Fatin said: "I don't think they should be striking. Everyone's journey will be affected, not just the initial journey it is the change overs to.
"No to the strikes."
Michael from Leeds was travelling back from a weekend away with his partner on Tuesday. He said: "We timed it really well coming back today. It is unfortunate the strikes are going ahead.
"Everyone would like a pay rise. It is difficult during the time of rising costing of living and will cause chaos both on and off the trains, but it is a bit unnecessary during this time."
And Carol Lynas said: "This strike will get them nowhere."
Finding a balance
Colleen, a retired Leeds resident, believes the strikes should go ahead but in not as much of an extreme manner. She believes there should be a soft strike so it is fair both on train staff and on those who need the trains to get to places.
She said: "We need to meet in the middle somewhere and make a happy medium - it is not the best thing but it is better than nothing.
"It doesn't affect me personally as I am not working but even where I live there is a bus strike so I can't get on that either. I am starting to do things for myself but I can't now with this going on."
Travelling regardless
Resident Tim, was sat in a sea of empty seats at the train station on Monday morning writing notes ahead of a big trip, and also had a bunch of pink flowers with him.
He explained he was going to visit a friend he used to work with but had not seen for 15 years - after the two departed ways after his friend left their place of work. Tim said: "We haven't seen one and other for 15 years. We have had the plan in the diary for two months now so we didn't want to cancel it.
"I am going regardless [of the strikes]."
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