Strike action: GWR warns customers to check their journey before leaving the house
Strike action by the RMT will affect GWR services and other train operators across the country on Thursday 20, Saturday 22 and Saturday 29 July.
In addition, there could be further train disruption between Monday 17 to Saturday 22 July due to industrial action short of a strike by Aslef. This is likely to cause some short-notice alterations or cancellations. Please check your journey before setting out.
On the RMT strike days a significantly reduced, revised timetable will operate across several train operators, including GWR, and many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all.
Services will start later, finish much earlier, only operating for a limited period during the day.
Due to this industrial action, those travelling to Newbury on Saturday 22 July for the horse racing meeting or to see the Tom Jones concert should seek alternative means of transport as there is no train service to or from the event.
During action short of a strike and the days after strikes, services could also be affected by a limited number of short-notice cancellations and alterations. The Night Riviera Sleeper service will not run in either direction from Sunday 16 to Friday 21 July, resuming on Sunday 23 July.
If you intend to travel where trains are running, please check before you travel. Trains that are operating will be busier than usual because GWR will not be able to offer the normal service frequency. Other train operators are also affected by this action, so onward travel could also be affected.
Where GWR is able to run services, they are expected to be extremely busy and they are not able to provide bus replacement services.
To help customers, tickets for strike days will be valid for travel on alternative days on GWR services, as per below:
- Tickets for Thursday 20 July and Saturday 22 July can be used the day before or up to and including Tuesday 25 July
- Tickets for Saturday 29 July can be used the day before or up to and including Tuesday 1 August
Customers who have purchased tickets but do not travel 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. GWR’s Refund policy remains 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.
Online journey planners have been updated and details will be published below.
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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