WORRIED PASSENGERS HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM HOME HIT BY RAIL STRIKES
TRAVELLERS DIDN’T FIND OUT ABOUT THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE THEIR JOURNEY
PASSENGERS hit by the rail strikes in Coventry have spoken of the impact the disruption has had on them.
Two people from Spain at the station said they were worried they would miss their flight home because of the industrial action - while others said it had disrupted their days severely.
The UK’S biggest rail strike in 30 years started on Tuesday and Coventry trains were running a very limited service.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service went to the station to find out how the disruption is affecting passengers.
We found that Coventry Station was much emptier than usual, although staff were prepared for chaos due to the strikes. But the action was still hitting commuters and holidaymakers including Rose Pernas and Maria Naya.
Rose, 62 and Maria, 65, from Santiago in Spain and came to Coventry as part of a short trip to the UK. Both told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) they were worried they’d miss their flight home from Gat- wick Airport this afternoon.
“We didn’t find out there was a strike until last night,” said retired mother-of-two Maria. “We were told the underground doesn’t work so we’ll be trying to get the bus.”
She and mother-of-one Rose had come to the Midlands for a short break - “now we’re just trying to get home.” Maria believes they won’t get compensation if they miss the flight. “It wouldn’t be their fault,” she said.
It’s the first time she’s been stuck in a strike while travelling. She says she needs to get home today to take care of family, while Rose, a nurse, has work tomorrow.
Hospital worker Ismi Ismath has also been affected by the strike. The 26-yearold biomedical scientist usually gets two trains, one to Birmingham New Street and then one to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
She told the LDRS that she’s had to change her shift from 9-5 to 10-4pm because of the reduced service. “Obviously it’s caused a lot of havoc for me, I’m going in late,” she said.
But the problem is hitting the wider workforce too. “A lot [of people] have had to take these days off or work different shifts just because of the trains,” she added.
“There is no parking at the hospital, a lot of staff catch the train - everyone is quite affected.” Rugby college student Henry Gallagher, 20, told the LDRS that his friend’s journey had been severely affected.
“They are having a lot of difficulty, trains from their area to college have just done. And it’s a 45-minute journey.” It’s difficult for students on the performing arts course to work from home, he added.
There was a further day of strike action yesterday (June 23) and another is planned tomorrow, Saturday, June 25. On these days, around 40,000 staff who are members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 13 train operators are walking out.
About 1 in 5 trains will be running and reduced services are expected outside strike days too. West Midlands Railway said: “We will be running a very limited service on these dates between 7.30am and 6.30pm only.
“Our advice to customers is to only travel during this time if your journey is essential and you have no other means of transport available.
“If you do travel, expect severe disruption, plan ahead and check your entire journey.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Railway workers have been treated appallingly and, despite our best efforts in negotiations, the rail industry, with the support of the Government, has failed to take their concerns seriously.
“We have a cost of living crisis, and it is unacceptable for railway workers to either lose their jobs or face another year of a pay freeze when inflation is at 11.1 per cent and rising.” He added: “Our union will now embark on a sustained campaign of industrial action which will shut down the railway system.”
We didn’t find out there was a strike until last night... now we’re just trying to get home
Maria Naya