With a reputation as a party city, Newcastle is a favourite destination for many stag and hen parties.
But rail strikes planned by the RMT Union this weekend look set to bring travel chaos and misery to thousands of stag and hen parties heading to Newcastle and cities across the county for their celebrations.
Rail workers employed by Network Rail, the London Underground, and 13 train operators, began three days of strike action across the county on Tuesday, in a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions. The industrial action has already brought the rail network to its knees, with just one in five trains running on strike days - and further walk-outs are also planned on Thursday, June 23, and Saturday, June 25.
The strike has led to stag and hen parties scrambling to find alternative modes of transport such as mini buses and taxis to reach destinations such as Edinburgh and Bournemouth to prevent their weekend plans from being scuppered.
READ MORE: Why rail workers are on strike and what the RMT has been offered to settle dispute
Gateshead stag and hen organiser, Last Night of Freedom, said the strikes are having a major impact on their customers as it slammed both the Government and rail union bosses for failing to avoid the walk-out.
“After two years of lockdowns with Covid, this should be the best summer ever, but this strike risks derailing everyone’s weekend plans,” said Matt Mavir, managing director of Last Night of Freedom.
The Gateshead firm has organised trips for over 25,000 stag and hens since launching in 1999. This weekend, the vast majority of groups booked with the company will heading to UK cities located on key rail lines.
“This is the last thing the British public wants," Matt continued.
"They are desperate to enjoy the sunshine and get back to having a great time but instead everyone’s plans are in limbo, with both sides now at risk of being the ultimate party poopers. They need to urgently sit down and reach a deal so we can all get back to enjoying the glorious British summer.”
While the company organises stags and hens, including activities and flights, it doesn’t arrange rail tickets for domestic events. However, staff are bracing themselves for calls from customers who have had their weekends hampered by the strike action.
“Tuesday’s strike isn’t the main issue in our industry, it is the planned walk-out on Thursday and Saturday,” added Matt.
“Many stags and hens fly on a Thursday and may get a train to somewhere like Manchester Airport. Those staying in Britain will usually travel on either Friday or Saturday.
“And even though there isn’t a strike on Friday, those trains are sold-out as they’ve had to cram in three days’ worth of passengers, so getting anywhere this weekend could be chaos.”
Last Night of Freedom said industry data shows that an estimated 2,430 British stag and hen parties will travel this weekend.
Newcastle, a major link on the East Coast line, is by far the firm’s busiest destination this weekend – with over 20% of all bookings in the city – with Liverpool and Edinburgh second and third respectively.
However, with Brits favouring stay-at-home stags and hens in the wake of the pandemic, the only European destinations among the top nine industry hotspots are Dublin and Benidorm.
Last Night of Freedom boss, Matt Mavir, added: “That shows just how important trains are to our industry and why it is vital this is sorted before the weekend.”
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