THE latest round of rail strikes may leave many people without trains for up to four days.
Trades unions have announced industrial action at a number of train companies, including GWR and Network Rail, on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – October 5 to 8.
On these days train services will be severely disrupted and some parts of the GWR network will have no train service at all.
Train services on the days following the industrial action will also be disrupted.
The strike action will mean that some parts of the GWR network will not have any train services for four days, from Wednesday to Saturday.
For the majority of strike days an extremely limited service will operate between 7.30am and 6.30pm, the first trains will start later and the last trains will leave much earlier.
Where services can run, they are expected to be extremely busy and bus replacement services cannot be provided. Online journey planners are being updated with the latest timetable information.
Passengers are advised to find alternative ways to travel on these days. Only travel by train if absolutely necessary. The majority of train services will not operate and there will be no services on many routes. Other train operators are also affected by this industrial action which could impact onward journeys.
Customers who have already purchased tickets for strike days can claim a full refund or amend their ticket; those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to delay repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more. Season-ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme.
Guidance
To help customers, GWR is allowing people with tickets for travel on alternative days as follows:
Tickets for travel on October 5 are valid for travel on 4, 6, and 7 October.
Tickets for travel on October 6 are valid for travel on 4, 5, 6, and 7 October.
Tickets for travel on October 7 are valid for travel on 4, 5, 6, and 7 October.
Tickets for travel on October 8 will be valid for travel on 7, 9, 10, 11 October.
For more detailed information visit www.gwr.com/strike
Unions taking action:
October 5 – Strike Action: Aslef. Action short of a strike: TSSA.
October 6 – Strike Action: TSSA managers and office staff only.
October 7 – Strike Action: TSSA managers and office staff only.
October 8 – Strike Action: RMT and Unite; Action short of strike: TSSA