Passengers are being reminded to only travel if absolutely necessary this Saturday as only AROUND 20% of rail services will operate due to RMT strike action.

Thousands of specially trained staff will be stepping up to the plate once again during the strike action to keep vital services running for those who need it.

Trains that do run will start later and finish much earlier than normal, as well as disruption on Sunday 9th October as workers return to their duties.

Industrial action is also taking place today and tomorrow as well as Monday as follows:

Thursday 6 and Friday 7 October – strike action affecting East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express

Monday 10 October – strike action affecting ScotRail.

For specific train operator service information, please visit National Rail or your train operating company’s website.

Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s chief negotiator, said: “Despite our best efforts to compromise and find a breakthrough in talks, rail unions remain intent on continuing and coordinating their strike action. This means railway staff forgo even more of their pay unnecessarily, passengers’ lives are disrupted once again and the railway’s recovery from the pandemic is further damaged.

“We’re asking passengers who want to travel this Saturday to only do so if absolutely necessary. Those who must travel should expect disruption and make sure they check when their last train will depart.”

Daniel Mann, director of industry operations at the Rail Delivery Group, said: “These strikes continue to disrupt leisure travellers, shift workers and undermine the many businesses who are struggling with rising costs and reduced footfall. Further action by the RMT and TSSA leadership will only damage the railway’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We want to give our people a pay rise, but we need the leadership of trade unions to make a commitment to reform, which is how we can improve services and deliver a fair deal for our people, passengers and for taxpayers.

“While some rail companies are not involved in the strike, services are likely to severely disrupted as around one in five trains will be running, so passengers should check the latest travel advice before setting off. Passengers with advance, off-peak or anytime tickets affected by the strikes on 8  October can use their ticket on the day before the booked date, or up to and including 11 October. Passengers can also change their tickets to travel on an alternate date or get a refund if their train is cancelled or rescheduled.”