UK rail passengers are facing more disruption to journeys this week as two major unions prepare to hold their latest strikes.
Members of the train drivers union Aslef are due to take industrial action on Wednesday (31 May) and Saturday (3 June), while the RMT is calling another one-day stoppage on Friday (2 June), which will impact services on 15 train companies.
Both unions are involved in long-running disputes with train companies over pay, conditions and jobs.
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the UK’s train operating companies, said there would be “reduced services” across the train network between 31 May and 3 June due to the strikes
“It is expected that nationally services will be severely reduced with variations across the network and no services at all in some areas,” warned RDG in a statement.
“On RMT strike day, around half of the network will shut down, with around 50 per cent of normal services running. On Aslef strike days around 40 per cent of trains will be running but there will be wide regional variations with some operators running no services at all.”
The strikes will also badly affect travel to major sporting events being held next weekend, including the FA Cup final in London and the Derby horse race at Epsom in Surrey.
“We understand the impact of these strikes on individuals and businesses alike, and we can only apologise for this unnecessary and damaging disruption,” added a RDG spokesperson.
“While we are doing all we can to keep trains running, unfortunately there will be reduced train services between Wednesday (31 May) and Saturday (3 June), so our advice is to check before you travel.”