There has been a huge surge in passengers catching coaches from Manchester to London following the last few months of train chaos.
Over the last few months train drivers, part of both Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), have staged various walkouts due to a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions.
As a result it has seen a massive reduction in services, both locally and nationally.
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However, it has also seen a huge surge in people travelling on coaches, including from Manchester to London.
National Express, a schedules coach operator, has said it has seen an 83% increase in passengers compared to before the pandemic. It now operates 12 services a day to London from Chorlton Street coach station with advance tickets from £8.90 one way.
Andy Leonard, National Express’ Senior Coach Station Manager for the North, said: “We know many of our passengers have had a difficult time on the West Coast Mainline recently and have chosen to travel on our coaches, some for the first time.
“It’s great to see that customers are switching to us and enjoying hassle-free, great value travel. As a result we’re putting on more coaches than ever before to serve the growing demand.”
National Express is also expanding its Transpennine network. From 5 May, the 170 and 171 services linking Leeds, Manchester, Manchester Airport and Liverpool will increase from eight to 13 services a day. The company has also invested in three new vehicles to serve this route.
This comes as members of the rail workers’ union have voted to renew their mandate to continue taking industrial action for the next six months in the long-running dispute over pay and conditions.
The RMT said there was an overwhelming vote in favour.
Unions involved in disputes have to re-ballot their members every six months to legally continue with strikes and other forms of action, the Press Association reports.
Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said the overwhelming backing for further strike action across 14 train operating companies was a “de-facto referendum” on the dispute.
“It is clear from these results that members are not prepared to accept a pay offer based on mass job cuts and major attacks on their terms and conditions.
“This sends a clear message to the employers that the huge anger amongst rail workers is very real and they need to recognise that fact, face reality and make improved proposals.
“They need to get around the table with RMT and negotiate in good faith for a better deal for rail workers.”
The union re-balloted members working for 14 train operating companies, saying they all passed the 50% participation threshold needed under law.
On an average turnout in each company of nearly 70%, over 90% of votes cast backed continuing with strike action, the RMT said.
In response to the latest RMT ballot result, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “I’m disappointed by the RMT’s decision to continue taking industrial action. Train companies put forward a fair and reasonable pay offer which the RMT’s executive have refused to consult their members on, despite members working for Network Rail voting overwhelmingly to accept it earlier this year.
“The Rail Delivery Group's best and final offer guarantees employees a fair and reasonable pay rise, while delivering the reforms needed to address the long-term challenges facing the industry.”
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