NORTHERN RELEASES FURTHER SERVICE INFORMATION AHEAD OF SEPTEMBER RMT STRIKE ACTION

Northern expects to run over 900 train services on both strike days between 7am and 7pm, with final services on some routes finishing before 7pm. Trains are expected to be extremely busy, journeys may take longer than normal and connections to other services may not be available.

Northern is advising customers to consider whether their journey is necessary and to recheck services before travelling, especially in the Bolton area where there is ongoing disruption to train services due to bridge repairs at Moses Gate.

Strike action is also taking place on Merseyrail at the same time as Northern.

Customers looking to use Northern services on 1 September to attend the opening nights of Blackpool Illuminations and Bingley Music Live have been informed they will need to seek alternative travel options for their journey home as last trains will depart well in advance of the closing time for both events.

Details of the revised timetables can be found on Northern’s industrial action page at northernrailway.co.uk/industrialaction.

Customers who travel on a strike day and experience a journey delay of 30 minutes or more can claim compensation through Northern’s Delay Repay scheme. Customers with season tickets that don’t include buses, trams or ferries, who decide not to travel due to strike action, can also claim compensation. All compensation claims can be made using Northern’s Delay Repay process – just go to Northern’s website or ask for a form at any staffed station.

Northern’s Regional Director Sharon Keith said: “Our priority is to keep customers informed and updated on both days of strike action as we try to keep the region moving. We are operating a limited service across our network on both days from 7am until 7pm, with trains finishing earlier in some places.

“We have focussed on ensuring our busier routes between major towns and cities maintain a good level of service throughout the day, while replacement bus services will be available on some routes where there are no trains. We are asking customers to plan ahead carefully and consider whether their journey needs to be made as all trains will be far busier than normal.”

The planned strike action from RMT comes as Northern is embarking on a journey to modernise its network by 2020. The modernisation programme will see the introduction of 286 new carriages, 243 upgraded trains, 2,000 extra services each week and better stations across the network. Fifteen refurbished trains are already operating on the network.

Sharon Keith added: “It is disappointing that RMT has timed these two days of strike action to coincide with people returning to school, college and work after the summer holidays. The action aims to cause disruption to people’s lives, businesses and the economy.

“During recent talks we underlined that we are prepared to guarantee jobs and current pay for all our conductors for the next eight years. Our offers to discuss every detail on the future responsibilities and training for on-board colleagues have been rejected by RMT. We urge them to get back round the table with us quickly and talk seriously about our modernisation, not take unnecessary strike action.”

Northern timetable information can be found at:

• www.northernrailway.co.uk/industrialaction
• www.journeycheck.com/northern
• www.nationalrail.co.uk
• Twitter @northernassist
• Or by calling 0800 200 6060

For Merseyrail information, customers can go to:

• www.merseytravel.co.uk
• Twitter @Merseyrail
• Or call 01513301000