Aslef Walkout: Friday Service Disruption
Members of the Aslef union, including train drivers, will be staging a walkout on Friday, impacting West Midlands Railway (WMR) services. To ensure a smoother travel experience, WMR strongly advises passengers to plan their journeys ahead of time.
On Friday, there will be no services operating on any WMR route.
RMT Union Industrial Action: Saturday Timetable Adjustments
Further disruptions are expected on Saturday due to industrial action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union. A reduced timetable will be in effect from 7 am to 7 pm, and some routes may not be serviced during this time.
Limited Services and Engineering Work: Saturday Travel Considerations
In addition to the ongoing industrial action, planned engineering work near Northampton will impact WMR’s sister company, London Northwestern Railway. There will be no direct services between Birmingham and London from Saturday until Sunday, September 10.
Jonny Wiseman, WMR’s customer experience director, expressed his disappointment regarding the inconvenience faced by passengers due to these circumstances. He urges passengers to meticulously check their travel plans and, if feasible, opt for an alternate travel date to minimize disruptions.
He emphasized, “No trains will be running on Friday, and a limited timetable will be in operation on Saturday, with some routes not served. Trains that are operational are likely to experience high demand.”
Wiseman also advises passengers to be mindful of the concurrent major engineering work on the West Coast Main Line, particularly between Birmingham and London. Considering the significant disruption on this route, he strongly recommends avoiding travel unless it is absolutely necessary.
Passengers holding tickets for travel on strike days have the option to use their tickets on a different day or claim a full refund.
Football Season Impact: Altered Services
For those commuting for football matches, please note that services will not be calling at Bordesley or Coventry Arena on Saturday due to safety precautions. Similarly, services will not stop at The Hawthorns, Jewellery Quarter, or Bescot Stadium two hours before and after matches at West Bromwich and Walsall.
Cross City Line Disruptions: Saturday Rail Replacement
As a result of planned engineering works, the south side of the Cross City Line, between Birmingham New Street and Redditch/Bromsgrove, will have no train services on Saturday. Rail replacement transport will be available to mitigate inconveniences.
Stay updated on the latest information regarding the impact of industrial action by visiting wmr.uk/industrialaction. Your understanding and careful planning during these disruptions are greatly appreciated.