Transpennine Express has urged passengers to avoid travelling next month and warned that only a 'handful' of services will be running during the upcoming strike days. Cross-union action by ASLEF, RMT and TSSA will see staff walk out on October 1, with further action planned by TSSA on October 5 and RMT and TSSA set to stage a further strike on Saturday October 8.
The three upcoming days of strike action will take place as part of an ongoing dispute between the train operator and trade unions over pay. TPE services connect Manchester Piccadilly with Hull and Manchester Airport with Newcastle, Redcar and Middlesborough. It also runs services between Manchester and Sheffield, Liverpool and York.
Transpennine Express has announced that the walkout will 'significantly impact' services, with only a 'handful' running on the three strike days. Passengers have been urged to avoid rail travel unless their journey is 'absolutely essential'.
It was also announced that a reduced train plan will also be in place on the days following each strike date, and trains will start later and finish earlier than normal. These changes will also impact anyone heading to events over this time period, including the Manchester City Vs FC Copenhagen game on October 5, where fans have been told to seek alternative transport.
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Service and Operations Director at TransPennine Express, said: “The upcoming industrial action by the rail unions will cause severe disruption to services right across the country, and because of this, we will only be able to operate a handful of services for customers on selected routes, with the days following the strikes also affected.
“We are strongly recommending customers avoid travel unless their journey is absolutely essential on 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8 and 9 October and seek alternative transport instead.”
Most of the train company’s managed stations will be closed on 1 and 8 October with no rail or replacement services available. A very limited timetable facilitated by the rail provider can be found online.
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