Train services will remain cancelled or severely disrupted despite suspension of rail strikes

The train operator is working hard to reinstate services into next week, but given the late notice, GWR’s advice to only travel if absolutely necessary on Saturday and Monday remains in place. 

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: 

“It is positive that talks with the RMT trade union appear to be showing some progress and we’re hopeful that today’s news brings us a step closer to finding a resolution to this long-running dispute. 

“Unfortunately, with less than 12 hours’ notice before the strike was due to start, it is too late to restore normal timetables and spare customers from disruption tomorrow and the early part of next week. Our advice remains to only travel by rail if necessary.” 

Rugby fans attending tomorrow’s Wales vs New Zealand Autumn International at the Principality Stadium are reminded not to travel by train as there are no scheduled services after the match. 

Train services will be severely disrupted and some parts of the GWR network will have no service at all. Where trains are running, an extremely limited service will operate, starting from 07:30, and all journeys having to be completed before 18:30, with last trains departing before this time. 

Where trains are able to run, they are expected to be extremely busy and we are not able to provide bus replacement services. Online journey planners will be updated with the latest timetable information as soon as possible. 

Passengers are advised to find alternative ways to travel tomorrow and Monday. Only travel by train if absolutely necessary. A reduced timetable will be in operation and many routes will have no services at all.  

Onward journeys outside the GWR network will also be affected. Our teams will be working over the weekend to prepare a timetable for Wednesday and more information will be available from Monday. 

We continue to have industrial action from one other trade union to contend with on these days. 

Customers who have already purchased tickets for tomorrow, Monday or Wednesday 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, tickets will be valid for travel on alternative days as follows: 

Tickets for travel on 5 November are valid for travel on 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 November 

Tickets for travel on 6 November are valid for travel on 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 November 

Tickets for travel on 7 November are valid for travel on 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 November 

Tickets for travel on 9 November are valid for travel on 8, 9, 10 and 11 November 

GWR will operate as many trains as possible during the strike action. For further travel advice please visit www.GWR.com/strike. 

The company’s Refund and Book with Confidence policies 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.