Continued strike action is set to take place again on Sunday, causing disruption to trains across the north and into Scotland.
The strike will once again mean changes to services operated by TransPennine Express (TPE) which is recommending that rail users avoid travelling on May 15 and make their journey on either Saturday or Monday instead.
Only a small number of trains will be running on this date and the rail company is urging people who absolutely have to travel on this date to plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time, as those trains that are operating will be very busy.
Bikes will not be permitted onboard TPE services on the day of the strike. With a number of major events taking place across the north this weekend, including various Premier League football games, the train company is urging those planning to attend an event to seek alternative transport.
Network Rail is carrying out engineering work between Carlisle and Edinburgh/Glasgow on Saturday and Sunday, with a replacement bus service running between Carlisle, Lockerbie Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Customers are also being asked to check their journeys ahead of planned changes to timetables which will come into effect after Sunday. TPE will be reinstating a small number of pre-COVID services following adjustments made to its train plan earlier this year.
Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director for TransPennine Express said: “We are frustrated that action by RMT continues to disrupt people’s journeys at the weekend.
“With another strike planned for this Sunday, we are calling on our customers to plan ahead and follow the guidance provided.”
TPE has organised ticket acceptance with other train operators for Sunday which are: Northern, Avanti West Coast (between Wigan and Carlisle), CrossCountry (between Leeds and Edinburgh), East Midlands Railway, Lumo (between Newcastle and Edinburgh), LNER (on Sunday only between York and Edinburgh), ScotRail, Hull Trains (between Hull and Doncaster) and Transport for Wales services.
