Passengers reminded to check before they travel and prepare for disruption following strike action called by the RMT and ASLEF leaderships

Passengers are reminded that due to industrial action called by the leadership of the RMT and ASLEF unions, there will be reduced services across the rail network on Saturday 26 August, Friday 1 and Saturday 2 September. Train companies are doing all they can to keep passengers moving over the bank holiday and the following Friday, but those travelling during that period are advised to plan ahead and check before they travel.   

The strikes, affecting services on 14 train companies, are likely to see trains start later and finish much earlier than usual. As the levels of disruption will vary across the country, passengers are advised to check their travel arrangements in advance. Rail companies expect that on 26 August, more than half of the usual service will be running across the country. On Friday 1, there will be a very limited service, with many areas having no service at all. On Saturday 2 September, a combination of action short of a strike by the ASLEF union and a strike by members of the RMT union means there will be fewer than half of trains running, and some services will be subject to short notice cancelation.

It is likely that evening services on some lines will be affected on the days before each strike, so passengers should also check the last train times on the evenings before strike days and the mornings after.    

The timetable for the 26 August strike is available on journey planners and on the National Rail website. From today, journey planners will be updated for the strikes on 1 on 2 September. 

Passengers are encouraged to visit the National Rail website www.nationalrail.co.uk/industrialaction or contact their train operator for the latest updates.  

 A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: “The industry will be working hard to keep as many services running as possible. There is no question the strikes called by the RMT and ASLEF leaderships are deliberately designed to target passengers who want to enjoy various sporting events and festivals during the bank holiday and at the end of the summer holidays, disrupting their plans, hurting local economies and forcing more cars onto the road.

“This, despite the RMT having repeatedly refused their memberships a vote on offers of up to 13% for the lowest paid over two years, which could easily settle this dispute. 

“There will unfortunately be some reduced services on Saturday 26 August, Friday 1 and Saturday 2 September. As the level of service varies across the country, our advice is to check before you travel and follow the latest travel information. Passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed, or rescheduled.”    

Ticketing and refund information    

Customers with Advance, Anytime or Off-Peak tickets for travel on a strike day can instead use their ticket on an alternative date:  

• Tickets for Saturday 26 August can be used on the day before the date on the ticket or up to and including Tuesday 29 August 
• Tickets for Friday 1 and Saturday 2 September can be used on the day before the date on the ticket or up to and including Tuesday 5 September 

If the ticket is for a journey that includes the London Underground, it will not be valid on London Underground services on an alternative date.  

Passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.    

If the Advance ticket is for a train scheduled for a strike day, but it is not cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, and a customer prefers not to travel, they should contact their ticket retailer.    

Customers with 2 x Advance tickets (an outbound and a return), to be used as a return journey, may be able to get a fee-free refund or change of journey for any unused legs/tickets, if either of the legs is scheduled for a strike day. Customers should check with their ticket retailer.    

Season Ticket holders (flexi, monthly or longer) who cannot travel, can claim 100% compensation through Delay Repay for the strike dates of Saturday 26 August. Friday 1 and Saturday 2 September.  

Weekly season ticket holders can claim Delay Repay if their train is delayed or cancelled on the day.