Train firms are urging people only to travel if necessary as the third day of rail strikes are set to go ahead tomorrow.
Strikes have already taken place on Tuesday and Thursday – and it is the biggest rail strike in 30 years.
The strikes affect Network Rail and train operators. Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport Workers union said its members were walking out over pay cuts, conditions and pensions.
It is seeking a pay rise of at least seven per cent in line with the cost of living.
Its members include guards, catering staff, maintenance staff and signallers.
Train drivers are represented by a separate union.
Avanti West Coast will only run a third of its normal Saturday timetable and the firm said it expected trains to be very busy, with shorter hours of operation, and less frequent services.
Customers who do need to travel during industrial action are advised to plan ahead, make a reservation and check the Avanti West Coast website for details of the train times. Passengers should pay particular attention to the times of the last services, as these will be much earlier than normal. Services on Sunday will also be impacted.
Avanti West Coast also confirmed there will be no onboard catering facilities on its services. The onboard shop will also be closed.
Customers who chose not to travel on Saturday can use their tickets anytime between now and Tuesday June 28. Alternatively, a full refund can be claimed with no admin fees for customers with tickets dated Saturday June 25 and Sunday June 26.
Due to the different signalling system in use on some parts of the West Coast Main Line, which is more resource-intensive to operate, the intercity operator is unable to stop trains at Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield, Stockport, as well as Runcorn, on Saturday and these stations will not be open.
Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “We’ve been working hard all week negotiating with the RMT union and it’s hugely disappointing our two sides have not been able to reach a compromise, leading to a third, damaging day of strike action which will now impact weekend rail travel.
“I’m hugely sorry that people’s family and leisure time will be disrupted, and for those who will once again struggle getting to work. Our advice is to please only travel if you must and regularly check National Rail Enquiries as the few services which will be running will finish early in the afternoon and I don’t want people to be caught out unable to get home again from a day trip.”
TransPennine Express will also only be running a small number of trains for those making essential journeys and said its services will be impacted on Sunday.
On Saturday, a limited service will be in place across just four routes (Newcastle – Edinburgh, Sheffield – Cleethorpes, Manchester Airport – Preston and Manchester Piccadilly – York), and the majority of TPE’s managed stations will be closed with no rail or replacement service available.
Those requiring an essential journey by rail this weekend should check the TPE website for timetable information or visit National Rail Enquiries.
Bikes will not be permitted on TPE services on either Saturday or Sunday.
Northern has advised customers not to use its service at all until Monday.
It said: “On strike days there will be extremely limited availability of both train crew and signalling staff and as such we will not be able to operate services on most routes. There will be no replacement buses or alternative travel provided.
Unfortunately, as we will not be able to position our fleet how we normally would, the significant impact of the strike will also be felt on non-strike days. Therefore, we regrettably advise customers not to travel on any day from Tuesday June 21 through to Sunday June 26.
“Where we are able to operate trains, services will be very limited, and trains will not start as early as normal and will finish much earlier than normal.”
