Fresh wave of strikes set to hit rail services
Train passengers warned to check before they travel
Train passengers have been warned to check before they travel as a fresh wave of strike action hits rail services across the area over the coming days.
Members of the ASLEF union kick off a rolling programme of one-day walkouts today (Friday) until Monday, with strikes taking place on different days for different operators.
Drivers at 16 rail companies are walking out in a long-running pay dispute with the government.
Strike action for Great Western Railway will be on Saturday, while South Western Railway will be affected on Monday.
Both operators have said they will run an ‘extremely limited service’ during this industrial action.
Great Western Railway also warned it won’t operate any direct trains between London Paddington and Reading tomorrow (Saturday) due to engineering works.
Many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all and trains that are running will only be operating for a limited period during the day. No long-distance services will run.
Where trains can run, they are expected to be extremely busy and no replacement bus services will be provided.
An ASLEF overtime ban, running from this Thursday-Saturday and on Monday-Tuesday, will also add to the disruption.
However, passengers will still be able to travel on Elizabeth line trains, as these are not affected by the strikes.
Operator Transport for London (TfL) has warned these services are likely to be busier than usual.
Elsewhere, a revised timetable will operate across the South Western Railway network today (Friday), tomorrow (Saturday) and Tuesday (April 9) due to the overtime ban.
There will be no trains to Windsor & Eton Riverside on Monday as strike action means a significantly reduced service will run on a limited number of lines.
South Western Railway’s Performance and Planning Director Steve Tyler said: “Industrial action by the ASLEF union will mean only a significantly reduced service will run on Monday April 8, so we are asking our customers to only travel if their journeys are absolutely necessary. For essential journeys, customers should check journey planners before setting off.
“The overtime ban on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Tuesday will mean that timetables will be revised. We are asking our customers to check before they travel, right up until they set off, as alterations on the day are possible.
“We are very sorry for the disruption that this industrial action will cause our customers and are very thankful for their continued patience.”
Strike action was planned for the London Underground on Monday, but this was called off yesterday (Thursday) after talks between ASLEF and TfL.
On the days after strikes, services could be affected by shortnotice cancellations.
To help customers, tickets for strike days will be valid for travel on alternative days on GWR services, so tickets for today (Friday) to Monday, April 8 can be used until Wednesday, April 10.
Online journey planners for both GWR and SWR services are up to date with detailed travel information.
Customers are advised to only travel if their journeys are necessary and are warned to check both outward and return journeys beforehand.