Rail strikes to impact travel this weekend and the majority of next week
Trades unions have announced industrial action at a number of train companies, including GWR and Network Rail, on Saturday 1, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6, Friday 7 and Saturday 8 October.
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 affect travel this Saturday, travel to this Sunday’s London Marathon, and travel from Wednesday 5 through to and including Saturday 8 October.
On strike days an extremely limited service will operate between 0730 and 1830, first trains will start later, and the last trains will leave much earlier.
Where GWR is able to run services, they are expected to be extremely busy and bus replacement services are not able to be provided. Online journey planners have been 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.
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.
To help customers, GWR is allowing people with tickets for travel on alternative days as follows:
- Tickets for travel on 1 October are valid for travel on 30 September, 2, 3, and 4 October.
- Tickets for travel on 2 October are valid for travel on 2, 3, and 4 October.
- Tickets for travel on 5 October are valid for travel on 4, 6, and 7 October.
- Tickets for travel on 6 October are valid for travel on 4, 5, 6, and 7 October.
- Tickets for travel on 7 October are valid for travel on 4, 5, 6, and 7 October.
- Tickets for travel on 8 October will be valid for travel on 7, 9, 10, 11 October.
For more detailed information, including advice for those looking to travel to the TCS London Marathon on Sunday 2 October, please visit www.gwr.com/strike.
Unions taking action:
1 October
Strike Action: Aslef, RMT and Unite
Action short of a strike: TSSA
5 October
Strike Action: Aslef
Action short of a strike: TSSA
6 October
Strike Action: TSSA managers and office staff only
7 October
Strike Action: TSSA managers and office staff only
8 October
Strike Action: RMT
The company’s refund policy and Book with Confidence policy will remain in place. If you hold a return ticket, you can claim a refund of your unused full fare, even if only one leg of your journey is affected.
Contact Information
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us
Travel advice for the London Marathon:
Due to industrial action on Saturday 1 October, services on Sunday 2 October will be severely disrupted.
Trains will start later than usual with some morning services cancelled.
Participants taking part in the London Marathon are advised to find alternative ways to travel into London on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October.
Spectators in London and the Thames Valley will be able to travel into London on TfL services; or on GWR services after the later start-up.
A limited and reduced timetable will operate on long-distance services. Customers are advised to check their journey before travelling. Where services are able to run, they are expected to be extremely busy and we are not able to provide bus replacement services.
- Tickets for travel on 1 October are valid for travel on 30 September, 2, 3, and 4 October.
- Tickets for travel on 2 October are valid for travel on 2, 3, and 4 October.