Monday, April 8, 2024
Travel chaos is anticipated for rail passengers on some of the nation’s busiest commuter lines on Monday, attributed to a strike by train drivers due to an ongoing dispute over wages. The drivers, affiliated with Aslef, have planned their third walkout in four days, expected to severely disrupt services, particularly in areas such as East Anglia and the South East. The strike will affect numerous rail services including c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway, Great Northern, and Thameslink, as the union remains entangled in a dispute over pay that has persisted for nearly two years without any signs of a resolution or scheduled talks.
Aslef has argued that the conflict has led to more than £2 billion in costs to the industry, a sum they claim far exceeds what it would take to settle the dispute. South Western Railway has announced a significant reduction in its services, limiting operations to a few lines and shutting down the rest of its network, with trains operating only between 7 am and 7 pm. Southern has also indicated that the majority of its network will see no train services, except for a limited shuttle service running non-stop between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, and similarly, there will be no Thameslink services aside from a limited shuttle service on select routes.
Furthermore, there will be a complete halt in Great Northern or Gatwick Express services, though Gatwick Airport will still be accessible via the limited non-stop Southern shuttle. Southeastern has advised against travel on its network due to the expected severe disruptions and the extremely limited service on the few routes that remain operational. The operator has cautioned travelers to prepare for significant delays, overcrowded trains, and potential queuing for up to two hours due to the restricted service availability.
Rob Mullen of c2c expressed his disappointment over the failure to reach an agreement with Aslef, noting the considerable impact of the ongoing strikes on both customers and staff, and voiced his hope for productive future discussions with the unions. Greater Anglia plans to operate a reduced service with later start and earlier finish times, excluding the Stansted Express, and will only offer hourly and bi-hourly services on a few routes.
The strike is further compounded by Aslef members at 16 train companies imposing an overtime ban, exacerbating the service disruptions. Picket lines are expected at railway stations affected by the strike. Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, criticized the government and rail companies for their lack of engagement over the past year, despite a new law aimed at maintaining minimum service levels during strikes, which has not been utilized by the train companies.
The Rail Delivery Group and the Department for Transport have both expressed their commitment to resolving the dispute, with offers on the table to increase average driver salaries, hoping to end the strikes that continue to target passengers and disrupt rail services.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
