Train passengers face disruption as rail workers in wage and employment rows go on strike

Rail, Shipping and Transport Union (RMT) members at 14 rail operators will resign, paralyzing services across the country.

Passengers have been warned to inquire before traveling as trains will start later and end much earlier than usual – usually between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

It is expected that between 40% and 50% of rail traffic will operate across the country, but there will be wide variations across the network, with some areas having no traffic at all.

Business interruptions can also occur on Sunday mornings, as most of the rolling stock is not in the correct depots.

Football fans and families who travel to leisure events at the weekend are among those affected.

RMT members went on strike Thursday and more walkouts are planned for March 30 and April 1.

Rail Delivery Group (RDG) Chairman Steve Montgomery said: “This latest round of strikes will be a further inconvenience to our customers, who have already been experiencing disruptions for months, and cost our staff even more money when they can least afford it.

“They will also ask why the RMT leadership blocked the chance to resolve this dispute by refusing to give its members – many of whom would have benefited from a 13 per cent increase – a say in their own deal.

“While we are pulling out all the stops to keep as many trains running as possible, unfortunately many parts of the rail network will experience reduced services on strike days, so we recommend checking before travelling.

“Tickets for March 30th and April 1st can be used the day before or up to and including Tuesday April 4th.”

The RMT said more than 20,000 workers will go on strike if there is no negotiated settlement.

Secretary-General Mick Lynch said: “The private railway companies are in complete disarray, unable to come up with a better offer to resolve our dispute and a proven failure to run the railways unless we go on strike.

“FirstGroup in particular is like a runaway wrecking ball fit only to make money for their city bosses.

“Avanti and TransPennine Express are both a pathetic disgrace but their owners have earned £90m from the railways in dividends over the last two years despite having appalling levels of service.

“RDG needs to sort itself out and settle our dispute with an improved offer, and then the government needs to nationalize both Avanti and TransPennine Express.

“They are unable to provide a decent service to passengers and the sooner they are transferred to public ownership the better.”