A warning has been issued to train users as rail staff are set to go on strike again next week, causing yet more travel chaos for passengers. Another strike by members in the Aslef union, which represents train drivers, will be held on Wednesday (October 5) while RMT members will walk out again on October 8.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) issued a fresh warning on Sunday, urging travellers to check their services are running before making a journey, with Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express all hit by the walkout, with many running no services at all.
There will be minimal train services operating across Greater Manchester, with customers now being advised not to travel by rail. Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) voted 'resoundingly' to take industrial action against the companies they say have failed to give workers a pay rise matching inflation.
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During the strikes on Wednesday, there will be no alternate rail replacement buses running, and people hoping to travel by bus or tram will need to purchase separate tickets. Manchester City will play FC Copenhagen at the Etihad at 8pm on Wednesday, so thousands of fans are also being urged to plan ahead and seek alternative travel arrangements instead.
No Northern, Avanti West Coast or CrossCountry trains will be running on Wednesday - with Transpennine Express announcing they will be running a very limited service, with timetables updated online.
Mick Whelan, Aslef General Secretary, said: "We would much rather not be in this position. We don’t want to go on strike – withdrawing our labour, although a fundamental human right, is always a last resort for this trade union – but the train companies have been determined to force our hand."
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “We apologise in advance for the significant disruption and inconvenience this action by the RMT and ASLEF unions will cause to our customers. As we have previously pledged, we will continue to work towards a resolution to this issue with the hope of avoiding more disruptive strikes in the future.”
Barry Milsom, Executive Director Operations & Safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “Yet again our customers will bear the brunt of the industrial action and face more days of unnecessary disruption. The unions have deliberated targeted weekends where they know our services will be very busy. London Marathon runners, who we know like use the train to get to the capital, will have trained for months, only to have their plans disrupted.
“We need to be all working together for the long-term benefit of our people and customers. So, we ask the unions again to engage in meaningful industry reform talks around modernising working practices and developing a railway fit for the 21st century.I would like to reiterate my thanks to our customers for their patience and understanding.”
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