WITH further strike action planned to take place on Sunday, March 6, TransPennine Express (TPE) is asking customers to continue to be prepared and plan ahead.
The strike, which has been called by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, will cause significant disruption to services across the North and into Scotland for the fourth consecutive Sunday. An amended timetable will be in place with a very limited number of trains in operation.
The union has now announced a series of further strikes by conductor members on Sundays from March 13 to April 3 and on the following weekends: April 16 and 17, April 30 and May 1, and June 4 and 5, which will cause more disruption for customers.
TPE is urging those planning on travelling by train on any of the planned strike dates to consider whether their journey is really necessary and avoid travel if possible.
Anyone making an essential journey are strongly urged to check carefully up to the last minute via the TPE website or National Rail Enquiries and allow extra time as those trains that are running will be very busy.
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express, said: “We are urging our customers to once again plan ahead and consider whether their journey is absolutely necessary with a fourth day of strike action planned.
“We are saddened and extremely disappointed the RMT has now announced further strike dates in spring and into summer that will cause further, extended disruption to customers.
“The RMT strikes come at a time when people are, once again, being encouraged to return to workplaces and leisure destinations, with rail identified as one of the key modes of transport to facilitate this.
“By curtailing our ability to operate services, the union is not only affecting customers’ travel options, but also negatively impacting business across the North and into Scotland.”
More information including the services TPE are intending to operate on the strike days can be found at tpexpress.co.uk – or by checking National Rail Enquiries.
To help customers get where they need to be on Sunday, TPE has arranged ticket acceptance with several other train operators.
TPE tickets will be accepted on Northern, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, Lumo, LNER (between York and Edinburgh), ScotRail, Hull Trains and Transport for Wales services. Ticket acceptance is also in place for First Bus services in West Yorkshire for customers who may need to use a bus service to complete a rail journey. In Manchester, Metrolink ticket acceptance is in place between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria. Some exclusions will apply and full details are available online.