Rail operator resorts to reduced timetable as weekend strikes loom

TransPennine Express (TPE) is warning its customers to plan carefully ahead of planned strikes this weekend.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has announced strike action by its TPE conductors on four consecutive Sundays, on 13, 20, and 27 February and 6 March.

In response, the rail operator has released an amended timetable for this Sunday, 13 February, which will see a significant drop in available services.

While TPE says it will be able to maintain some core services on these dates, customers are being advised not to travel and to plan journeys for either side of the strike dates.

TPE will operate a limited service on the following routes:

Manchester – York via Huddersfield and Leeds
York – Scarborough
Edinburgh – Carlisle
Manchester Piccadilly – Sheffield
Doncaster – Cleethorpes

Anyone planning to travel during the strikes, should check up to the last minute via the TPE website (tpexpress.co.uk), as services may be subject to short notice changes. Customers should also allow extra time for journeys.

Customer experience director for TransPennine Express, Kathryn O’Brien, said: “We are disappointed that RMT has chosen to disrupt people’s journeys at a time when the rail industry – alongside much of the nation – continues to feel the impact of the pandemic.

“We are doing all we can to keep our customers moving under difficult circumstances, but we simply will not be able to operate a timetable that provides a regular service.

“We will continue to review our strike response timetables and will seek to provide additional services where possible.

“Our advice to our customers is clear. This Sunday, do not travel unless you have to. If your journey is vital, plan and check carefully before travelling and allow plenty of extra time. Those trains we are running are likely to be far busier than normal.”