The services of many train companies are expected to be severely hampered by a strike by the train drivers union Aslef on Wednesday and Saturday, June 3 over wages and conditions.
Meanwhile, the union RMT has also called for a strike on Friday, June 2.
The strikes will affect the services of 15 train companies, with trains starting later and ending much earlier than usual – usually between 7.30am and 6.30pm.
On strike days in Aslef, only about 40% of trains will run – and in some areas operators will run no service at all.
On the day of the RMT strike, about half of the network will be down, with about 50% of normal services up and running.
Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check the times of the first and last trains.
Wednesday’s walkout will affect key services to and from London and commuter services within the capital.
According to National Rail, there will be no Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink or Great Northern services running on Wednesday.
Southwest Rail will reduce service on some routes to Waterloo.
Meanwhile, some train companies that operate lines out of London, such as Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern Railway, will run no service at all.
Announcing the strikes earlier this month, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We don’t want to go on strike – we don’t want to inconvenience passengers, we have family and friends who also use them. use railroads and we believe in investing in railroads for the future of this country – but the blame for this action, to be fair and straightforward, is on employers who have forced them to We have to hand this over because of their intransigence.
“Now they have to come up with a more reasonable and realistic offer and we ask the government not to get in the way of this process.”
Aslef will also begin a ban on overtime from June 1, which could affect some services in and out of the capital.
Among those affected are likely football fans trying to travel to London to watch the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley.
The strike action will also likely affect more than 100,000 people who go to the annual Epsom Derby on Saturday as well as fans who go to a concert during Beyonce’s Renaissance world tour at the stadium. Tottenham campaign.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, called the disruption “unnecessary and damaging”.
A spokesman said: “The upcoming rail strikes called by Aslef and RMT leadership will not only affect the daily commute of passengers but also those traveling from the FA final. Cup and other events across the country, disappointing and disappointing for thousands of people.
“It will also inconvenience families who are already looking forward to and planning their midterm vacation.
“It will also add to the burden on our residents, who have lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial stress.”
Rail unions have accused ministers of tying the rail companies’ hands, making it impossible for them to negotiate a “reasonable” pay agreement.
But ministers insist there is a fair offer on the table that union leaders should make to their members.
