GWR warn of ‘severe disruption’ over weekend as RMT train strikes continue

Great Western Railway is urging people to travel by train only ‘if absolutely necessary’ as rail worker strikes continue into the weekend.

Significantly reduced services and ‘severe disruption’ are set to remain on Saturday (June 25) and Sunday due to industrial action by by the RMT union at train operators across the industry.

Only 30% of GWR services are set to run on Saturday (June 25) from 7.30am to 6.30pm, while around 50% of services will operate on Sunday.

Where trains are able to run, they are expected to be extremely busy especially as no replacement bus services have been provided.

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said:“We recognise that this week has been difficult for those who need to travel.

“We’ve been doing our best to provide scheduled services on key routes, which is hopefully making a difference.

“Services are however starting and finishing earlier throughout the strike period with an extremely limited service operating this Saturday between 0730 and 1830.

“On Sunday, no services are running before 0700, and we will also be working hard to re-position our fleet for Monday’s return to normal.”

GWR expects to only be able to operate services along the following routes and stations on Saturday:

Online journey checkers are expected to be updated with the latest timetable information, but short-notice cancellations or changes could occur and passengers are urged to check their journey before starting out.

Customers who have already purchased tickets can claim a full refund or can amend their ticket; those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to delay repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 mins or more. Season ticket holders can apply for compensation through GWR’s Delay Repay scheme.

GWR is also allowing people with tickets for travel on strike days to be able to travel on the day before and up to and including Tuesday, June 28 and after.

Visit www.gwr.com/strike for more information.