Passengers are being warned to brace themselves for another week of chaos on the trains despite the introduction of a new timetable.
Strikes action means scores of trains are to be cancelled with just a 'very limited' number services running in and out of Manchester Piccadilly on four days next week. Network rail are urging people only to travel on those days if 'absolutely necessary.'
Whilst services on other days are likely to be much busier. It means passengers are facing their Christmas travel plans being left in disarray.
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A new national timetable is being introduced tomorrow (Sunday, December 11) which it was hoped may see some improvements in service levels for frustrated passengers.
Under-fire Avanti West Coast say they are using the change to relaunch a 'stable and deliverable' three trains-an-hour service between Manchester and London.
However, members of the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions are all taking industrial action next week on Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14, 1Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December. This will involve national walkouts from staff at Network Rail and all train operators.
As a result, a 'significantly reduced' timetable will be running on those days with trains starting later than normal (7:30am) and finishing much later (6:30pm).
Across the country just 20 percent of services will run on just 50pc of the network and 'most branch lines will have no trains at all' Network Rail say.
At Piccadilly, only four trains an hour will be leaving the station (compared to around 30 on a normal weekday) with none after 5pm. Passengers being urged not to get 'caught out' and to find other ways of getting home on those evenings. The station will be fully closed from 7pm. On those days Network Rail say 'only absolutely necessary rail travel' is advised.
Passengers also are also being told to expect disruption from December 18 with 'wide variations on service provision, due to an overtime ban across 14 train operating companies imposed by the RMT.' according to the Network Rail.
On Christmas Eve action by the RMT means services stop 'significantly earlier' than usual whilst there are further strikes planned for January. Travellers are advised to check with their train operator how the action will be affecting their services.
Network Rail says it is 'hugely disappointing that despite months of negotiations and an improved offer by us to settle our dispute with the RMT, these strikes are still going ahead in a deliberate attempt to ruin Christmas for millions of passengers trying to see loved ones and businesses who rely on festive trade at this crucial time of year.'
The RMT's General Secretary Mick Lynch said unions had a “duty to coordinate what they do." He said the timing of the strikes was “unfortunate, but we have to respond to what the companies are doing, and they’re doing that very deliberately. They’re seeking to ratchet up the dispute.”
Adding: “If we do not respond, then those changes will go through without a response from us and our members will have to suffer the consequences including job losses and changes to their working lives that are unacceptable to them."
Results of a survey of Avanti staff carried out by the RMT showed staff had no confidence management can turn things around in December the union said.
Whilst regional leaders expressed doubt the timetable changes will make a difference at the also belegeaured TransPennine Express with Henri Murison, chief executive of business group Northern Powerhouse Partnership saying passengers were 'likely to see continued disruption for the foreseeable.'
What do I do if I have a ticket booked for a strike day?
Passengers with Advance, Anytime or Off-Peak tickets for travel on a strike day can instead use their ticket on an alternative date:
- Tickets for 13, 14, 16, 17 December can instead be used the day before the date on the ticket, or up to and including Tuesday 20 December
-
Tickets for 24, 26, 27 December can instead be used on 23 December or up to and including Thursday 29 December
Passengers with Advance tickets can get a fee-free refund if the booked trains is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.
If the Advance ticket is for a train that is scheduled for a strike day, is not cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, but a customer prefers not to travel, they should contact the retailer from where they bought their ticket.
Customers with two advance tickets (an outbound and return leg) may be able to get a fee-free refund or change of journey for any unused legs/tickets, if one (either) of the legs is scheduled for a strike day. Customers are again urged to check with their ticket retailer.
Season ticket holders who do not travel can claim full compensation for the strike dates of 13, 14, 16, 17 December.
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