CrossCountry Rail Passengers Warned of Significant Disruption over August Bank Holiday Weekend

Strategic Insights -

CrossCountry rail passengers are set for significant disruption over the August bank holiday weekend due to industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT). The strike will see union members, including train managers and senior conductors, declining to work on both Saturday, August 23, and Monday, August 25. This means that CrossCountry will operate a reduced timetable over the bank holiday weekend, with no services on Saturday, August 23, and likely cancellations across all routes on Sunday, August 24. Passengers are advised not to travel on Saturday, August 23, and to travel on either side of the bank holiday weekend or claim a full refund.

Key Takeaways:

  • CrossCountry will operate a reduced timetable over the August bank holiday weekend due to industrial action by the RMT union.
  • No services will operate on Saturday, August 23, and likely cancellations across all routes on Sunday, August 24.
  • Passengers are advised not to travel on Saturday, August 23, and to travel on either side of the bank holiday weekend or claim a full refund.
  • A very limited service will operate on Monday, August 25, but passengers should expect all services to be busy and check their journeys carefully before departing.
  • Specific journey details will be available on the CrossCountry website from early next week.
  • No CrossCountry service will operate between Birmingham, Reading, and the South Coast, and no service will operate between Leicester, Cambridge, and Stansted Airport.
  • There will only be a very limited service to the South West and north of York on Monday, August 25.
  • Planned engineering work in the West Midlands will impact CrossCountry services on Monday, August 25, resulting in longer journeys for some passengers.
  • Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry's managing director, stated that negotiations with the RMT union are ongoing and that CrossCountry remains committed to reaching an agreement.

Statistics:

  • No CrossCountry services will operate on Saturday, August 23.
  • Likely cancellations across all CrossCountry routes on Sunday, August 24.
  • A very limited service will operate on Monday, August 25, between 8am and 6pm.
  • 100% of CrossCountry services will be impacted by the industrial action on Saturday, August 23.
  • 50% of passengers planning to travel with CrossCountry over the bank holiday weekend are advised to check before traveling.

Sources:

  • EMILY GRAY, "RMT rail union strike to cause major disruption to CrossCountry passengers this summer".