Rail strikes have been causing chaos for train passengers today (June 21) as they seek alternative methods of transport to get around. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union have started their planned industrial action in a dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.
Picket lines have formed outside stations across Britain as workers from Network Rail and 13 rail operators stage their walkout. Further action is planned for Thursday (June 23) and Saturday.
As a result of the strikes, limited services are running across the country's train lines, with most only running until 6.30pm tonight. A large number of stations have also closed for the day.
Read more: Rail strikes - What Bristol trains are still running?
Great Western Railway (GWR) and CrossCountry, who both run lots of services through Bristol, are among the operators who have been forced to run a reduced schedule on the strike days. Transport for Wales, who run trains between Bristol and Cardiff, have also seen their schedule impacted.
Usually, when there is rail disruption, train operators put on replacement bus services to help passengers. However, this is normally only when it is planned maintenance work, so for the strikes, the majority of lines will not have replacement buses.
What GWR says about replacement buses
The operator has a limited timetable on strike days and is not planning on having a replacement bus service. A spokesperson for the line said: "No rail replacement services will be in place today due to the strikes as we have advise customers in advance not to travel."
However, there will be one for people trying to use Bristol Parkway on Sunday (June 26) as there is ongoing maintenance work taking place. There will be fewer trains using the station and buses for services heading to destinations including South Wales, London and Gloucester will help passengers.
How about CrossCountry?
It is also not running replacement buses during the strikes. A message on the operator's website says: "There will be no road transport running in replacement of train services."
What about people travelling to Wales?
Transport for Wales has confirmed there are no replacement buses planned for Bristol service. The only buses it will be running to replacement train services will be between Radyr and Cardiff Central along with services on Saturday between Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil due to the ongoing transformation work for the South Wales Metro.
