NORTHERN RELEASES FURTHER TIMETABLE INFORMATION AHEAD OF OCTOBER RMT STRIKE ACTION

The train operator aims to run around 1200 services across the North, 46 per cent of its normal timetable, on both days between 7am and 7pm.

Specific travel advice has been issued to customers travelling in the Liverpool area where all train services are affected until 22 October due to major improvement works at Liverpool Lime Street station as follows:

• Travelling to/from the North (The Lakes, Blackpool, Preston) though Wigan North Western – services terminate at St Helens Central. An express or stopping replacement bus service (via Huyton) is available for travel to/from Liverpool Lime Street until around 7pm.
• Travelling to/from Manchester Victoria – services terminate at St Helens Junction. An express or stopping replacement bus service (via Huyton) is available for travel to/from Liverpool Lime Street.
• Travelling to/from Manchester via Warrington – services terminate at Warrington Central
• Other train operating companies, not impacted by strike action, will operate into Liverpool South Parkway, where customers can travel to/from Liverpool Lime Street via Merseyrail or on Northern replacement bus services. These buses will operate all day between Hunts Cross via Liverpool South Parkway to Liverpool Lime Street and Hunts Cross and Moorfields.

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

Northern expects all services to be extremely busy and are advising customers to allow extra time to travel and consider whether their journey is absolutely necessary. RMT strike action is also taking place on Merseyrail, Southern and Greater Anglia on 3 and 5 October.

Sharon Keith, Northern’s Regional Director, said: “Customers can be assured that we are doing all we can to keep them on the move on 3 and 5 October. We are focused on maintaining a service on our busier routes between 7am and 7pm on both strike days, with replacement bus services available on some routes where we are not able to operate trains.

“We are working with Merseytravel to support our customers travelling into Liverpool on strike days, where all trains are affected by the closure of Lime Street station. We are working hard to offer alternative services into and out of the city, including replacement bus services where possible.

“We ask everyone to take time to plan ahead, keeping checking services on our website, and consider whether their journey needs to be made.”

Frank Rogers, chief executive at Merseytravel, said: “Transport operators have worked together to put robust contingency plans in place to help keep passengers moving and keep Liverpool City Region open for business.

“We’re doing everything we can, now we’re calling on passengers to plan ahead and familiarise themselves with the alternative arrangements so they can continue to get about easily and seamlessly during this period. Passengers are advised to check timetables, plan ahead, stick to public transport where possible and allow extra time for their journeys.”

RMT’s planned strike action comes as Northern is modernising its network. The programme will see 98 new trains, 243 updated trains, faster and more frequent services, more space for customers, and better stations. Staff will be more visible and available than ever before as part of the plans.

Sharon Keith, added: “We want to make changes to the on-board role to make it fit for the future, better supporting customers on trains and at stations. While this strike action is disruptive, we remain firmly focused on delivering a better service for our customers. RMT continues to reject our offers to talk and we are disappointed that the union has called this further strike action. We are still prepared to guarantee jobs and current pay for all our conductors for the next eight years and urge RMT to be open to discussions about the future.”

Customers who travel on 3 or 5 October and experience delays of 30 minutes or more, can claim compensation through Northern’s Delay Repay scheme. Those 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 claims can be made using Northern’s Delay Repay process on Northern’s website or by collecting a form at any staffed station.

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