Rail strikes to leave many without trains for four days
Trades unions have announced industrial action at a number of train companies, including GWR and Network Rail, on 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 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 07:30 and 18:30, 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.
To help customers, GWR is allowing people with tickets for travel on alternative days as follows:
- 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 please visit www.gwr.com/strike.
Unions taking action:
5 October
Strike Action: Aslef
Action short of a strike: TSSA
6 October
Strike Action: TSSA
7 October
Strike Action: TSSA
8 October
Strike Action: RMT and Unite
Action short of strike: TSSA