The train strike row rumbles on ahead of the first of three days of walk outs affecting almost the entire railway network in Britain.
The RMT strike, which includes staff working for Network Rail and 13 major operators, is "likely" to go ahead, the Treasury chief secretary and Middlesbrough South MP Simon Clarke told Sky News on Monday morning. The RMT's assistant general secretary, John Leach, told Radio 4 that union members are “determined” to see the strike through if negotiations with Network Rail and train companies fail.
Operators are advising passengers not to travel on strike dates and - in some cases - days either side of the strike. The strike dates are Tuesday June 21, Thursday June 23 and Saturday June 25. Events affected include Glastonbury Festival and the England v New Zealand test at Headingly, Leeds. There are additional strikes being voted on by union members for later in the summer.
Read more: "Significant" disruption on North East rail network during planned train strike
National rail strike June 2022 - what to do if your train is affected by RMT strike
There will be a "very limited service running on the rail network" during the strike, says National Rail, which advises passengers to "only travel by train if necessary". If you have to travel, there are options if the train you are booked on is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.
If you are flexible, you can use tickets booked for travel on June 21, 23 or June 25 on either the day before the ticket date, or services until Monday June 27 and Tuesday June 28, National Rail says. Tickets may also be valid on alternative routes.
My train is cancelled due to June 2022 strike, can I still travel?
If the train you are booked on is cancelled, you are entitled to a change or refund from the retailer (such as Trainline) or operator (such as LNER, CrossCountry or Transpennine).
National Rail says: "If you purchased an Advance, Off-Peak or Anytime ticket and choose not to travel because your service has been cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, you will be entitled to a refund or change from the original retailer of your ticket."
My train has been rescheduled because of the strike, can I get a refund?
Yes. If you purchased an advanced ticket - one that has a specific time or date on it - you can get a refund if that train is rescheduled and you no longer wish to travel on it.
National Rail says: "Yes, you are entitled to a refund under Condition 30.1 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel. If you have purchased a ticket and your train has been cancelled, delayed or rescheduled due to RMT strike action then you will be entitled to a refund or change of journey."
Can I use my ticket on another train during the strike?
Yes, if your train is affected by the strike, you will be allowed, within reason, to use your ticket on an alternative route to get to your final destination. National Rail says: "If you choose to travel and your service has been cancelled due to RMT strike action, you may be able to use your Advance, Off-Peak or Anytime ticket on a different train company or route. Please contact the train company you are travelling with for more information."
If you'd rather not do that, your other options are asking for a refund/ticket change, or travelling on the day before or days after, as mentioned above.
Which other days can I use my ticket if it is affected by the strike?
Passengers with Advance, Off Peak or Anytime tickets can travel on alternative days, with the same ticket, if their chosen train is affected by strike action.
National Rail says:
"If you have bought an Advance, Off-Peak or Anytime ticket and your chosen service has been affected by RMT strike on 21, 23 or 25 of June 2022 you can use this ticket either:
- on the day before the date on the ticket
- or up to and including either the Monday or Tuesday of the following week (27 or 28 June)."
My train is delayed because of the strike, can I get a refund or compensation?
Yes, if disruption to your journey meets the "Delay Repay" threshold, you will be entitled to compensation. How much depends on the ticket type, length of delay and the operator you travel with. National Rail adds: "Most claims can be made online with an uploaded image of your ticket, or by obtaining a form from a staffed station, enclosing the ticket and posting it back to the operator." Contact your rail operator for information.
Can I get hotels or taxi bills refunded if I am affected by the June 2022 rail strike?
If you do decide to travel on the strike dates and are unable to get to your destination, rail operators can provide taxis and even overnight accommodation. But they are unlikely to compensate you for any arrangements you make yourself.
National Rail says: "While we cannot fund taxi or hotel bills, if you decide to travel during a strike period and your chosen train is affected, you may be able to use your ticket on another train company or by an alternative route. Where disruption prevents you from completing your journey for which your ticket is valid and is being used, any train company will, where it reasonably can, provide you with alternative means of travel to your destination, or if necessary, provide overnight accommodation for you."
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