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Disruption to CrossCountry Rail Services Expected Over Bank Holiday Weekend

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Passengers are being warned of significant disruptions to rail services operated by CrossCountry due to a strike by RMT union members over the August bank holiday weekend. The strike, scheduled for Saturday, August 23, and bank holiday Monday, will result in a reduced timetable, with no services running on the Saturday and potential cancellations on Sunday. Passengers are advised to avoid traveling on Saturday and consider alternative dates for their journeys. The strike is centered on staffing, safety, and pay agreements, with CrossCountry management and RMT representatives engaged in ongoing talks to reach a negotiated settlement.

Key Takeaways:

  • A strike by RMT union members at CrossCountry will take place on Saturday, August 23, and bank holiday Monday, leading to a reduced timetable and potential cancellations.
  • No CrossCountry services will operate on Saturday, with passengers advised to avoid traveling on this day.
  • Sunday services will be subject to cancellations across all CrossCountry routes, with passengers advised to travel on either side of the bank holiday weekend or claim a full refund.
  • The strike centers on staffing, safety, and pay agreements between CrossCountry management and RMT representatives.
  • CrossCountry will operate a very limited service on Monday from 8am to 6pm, with passengers advised to check their journeys before departing and expect services to be busy.
  • Planned engineering work in the West Midlands will also impact CrossCountry services, causing longer journeys.
  • Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry managing director, expressed disappointment at the strike and called for continued talks with the RMT.
  • An RMT spokesperson stated that members have voted strongly in favor of industrial action and are seeking further talks with management to reach a negotiated settlement.

Statistics:

  • 9,000 extra seats will be added to National Express intercity services over the bank holiday weekend to respond to the industrial action.
  • Child passengers traveling with a Strike Saver ticket will only be entitled to railcard discounts on some routes due to the industrial action.

Sources:

  • "RMT strikes over bank holiday weekend to hit CrossCountry trains" by Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent.
  • National Express press release regarding added capacity on its intercity services over the bank holiday weekend.

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