Further industrial action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) unions is expected to cause severe disruption to train services, including those operated by TransPennine Express (TPE) at the start of November.
Strikes by RMT affecting a number of train operators, as well as Network Rail, have been announced for 5, 7 and 9 November, with strike action and action short of a strike by TSSA also planned for 5 and 7 November.
Only a very small number of TPE services will be in operation across a single route on 5,7 and 9 November.
On these dates, the rail operator will only be running trains between Huddersfield and York and anyone planning travel on this route should do so only if their journey is absolutely necessary.
A reduced train plan is also planned to be in place on the days following each strike, with trains starting later and finishing earlier than usual.
Those attending major events during this time, such as the Scotland vs Fiji Autumn International in Edinburgh and York Record Fair on 5 November, as well as planned Rugby League World Cup fixtures taking place in Hull and Huddersfield, should seek alternative modes of transport.
Adam Fairclough, Head of Customer Experience Delivery for TransPennine Express said:
“We are saddened by the announcement that there will be further strike action by both RMT and TSSA at the start of next month, which will once again cause disruption to customers across the UK.
“This action will cause severe disruption to TransPennine Express services, and we will only be able to run an extremely limited service between Huddersfield and York on the strike dates. We are strongly advising those planning travel on this particular route to only do so if their journey is absolutely necessary.”
Customers making essential journeys on the route between Huddersfield and York during the strike period are strongly advised to plan very carefully and check their journey before travelling, as any trains that are running will be very busy and further delays and short-notice cancellations are likely.
Detailed information as well as the latest updates on the strike impact, can be found here. Timetable information will be added to this page as soon as this is available.
The majority of TPE’s managed stations will be closed on the 5 and 9 November, with no rail or replacement services available.
Bikes will not be permitted onboard TPE services between 5 and 9 November.