TransPennine Express (TPE) is preparing to mitigate strike action planned by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) for this weekend.

The RMT has announced that conductors employed by TPE will strike from 00:01 to 23:59 on four consecutive Sundays, 13, 20, 27 February, and 6 March.

In response, TPE has released an amended timetable for this Sunday, 13 February. Although there will be a significant reduction in available services, TPE will be able to maintain some core services on the strike dates.

However, customers are being advised not to travel and to plan journeys for either side of the strike dates.

TPE will operate a limited service on the following routes:

• Manchester to York via Huddersfield and Leeds;
• York to Scarborough;
• Edinburgh to Carlisle;
• Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield;
• Doncaster to Cleethorpes.

Services may be subject to short notice changes, therefore anyone planning to travel during the strikes should check carefully, right up to the last minute, via the TPE website at tpexpress.co.uk. Customers should also allow extra time for journeys as the services that TPE is able to run will be far busier than normal.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express, said “We are disappointed that RMT has chosen to disrupt people’s journeys at a time when the rail industry – alongside much of the nation – continues to feel the impact of the pandemic.

“We are doing all we can to keep our customers moving under difficult circumstances, but we simply will not be able to operate a timetable that provides a regular service. We will continue to review our strike response timetables and will seek to provide additional services where possible.

“Our advice to our customers is clear. This Sunday, do not travel unless you have to. If your journey is vital, plan and check carefully before travelling and allow plenty of extra time. Those trains we are running are likely to be far busier than normal.”

Full details of TPE’s amended timetables can be found via the website http://tpexpress.co.uk or by checking National Rail Enquiries.

To assist customers who still need to travel on Sunday, TPE has arranged that tickets will be accepted by several other train operators.

TPE tickets will be accepted on Northern, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Trains, LNER, and Transport for Wales services. Some exclusions will apply and full details are available online.