Strike action set to cause severe disruption to TransPennine Express services
TransPennine Express (TPE) is urging customers to plan ahead, with further industrial action set to cause major disruption to rail services this March and into April.
Strike action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union (RMT) RMT is set to significantly impact services between 16-19 March and 30 March–2 April.
TPE will only be able to operate a handful of services on each date and is urging customers to avoid travel unless their journey is essential.
Official strike action is set to take place on 16, 18, 30 March and 1 April but 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.
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Service and Operations Director for TransPennine Express, said: “This upcoming strike action by RMT will once again have a big impact on rail customers right across our network, and we will only be able to operate a small number of trains across certain routes.
“The days after each strike will also be affected and so anyone planning rail travel between 16-19 March and 30 March–2 April should seek alternative means and only make journeys if they are absolutely essential.”
For those that absolutely have to travel on strike days, TPE will be running a reduced timetable on three routes, Huddersfield - York, Manchester Airport - Preston, and Sheffield - Cleethorpes.
TPE is strongly recommending that anyone travelling checks their journey very carefully and allows plenty of extra time as any trains that do run will be very busy, and further disruption is possible.
The latest information on the impact of the strikes including amended timetables can be found at tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/strike-action.
Most of the train company’s managed stations will be closed on 16, 18, 30 March and 1 April with no rail or replacement services available.
Bikes will not be permitted onboard TPE services between 16-19 March and 30 March–2 April.