More strike action disrupts services on Northern and Merseyrail

RMT guards on Arriva Rail North walked out for three days from July 8. Merseyrail drivers were on strike on July 8 and 10, and Southern conductors for one day on July 10.

Northern ran 40% of services between 0700 and 1700 each day - 1,400 trains as well as “hundreds” of rail replacement buses.

Merseyrail ran 20% of services. Managing Director Jan Chaudhryvan der Velde said: “We put together the best possible timetable to provide a limited train service on both strike days.”

Sharon Keith, regional director at Northern, said: “We are doing everything we can to keep our customers on the move.”

The RMT is campaigning against plans by Merseyrail and Northern for new trains that have doors controlled by drivers, not guards. The companies have no trains capable of Driver Only Operation, but Northern is contractually obliged by the DfT to transfer control of doors to the drivers when new rolling stock is delivered.

Industry sources suggest drivers will demand pay awards similar to those offered on Southern as part of any agreement.

The Rail Delivery Group said that more than half the trains running in Britain, including on the London Underground, operate with the driver closing the doors. It added: “This isn’t about jobs, pay or safety: the RMT need to explain why they’re striking.”