Today marks the running of the Grand National – a steeplechase horse race. And it’s the perfect day for Rail and Maritime Trade Union to walk out on strike over driver only operated trains.
As such services on Merseyrail – the local train provider in the Liverpool area – are on reduced timetables for most of the day.
Mersyrail Class 507 Train at Liverpool Central – by PeterSkuce – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56442899
Services to Aintree will operate, with a peak up service of 7 1/2 minute at key times to carry people between Liverpool City Centre and Aintree (where the Grand National will be held).
The full timetable is here
However, to accommodate the reduce amount of staff on duty, other Merseyrail lines will be impacted and have service reductions.
In some cases, no trains will operate. The following lines are impacted:
- Ellesmere Port
- New Brighton
- Hunts Cross
- Kirkby line
Full details on the Merseyrail page and you can check before you travel at National Rail Enquires.
Merseyrail is in the process of obtaining new trains, which look rather swish – however, they plan to operate the trains using Driver Only Operation. This compares with the current operation that has a driver and a guard which the RMT Union is protesting about.
Merseyrail Stadler New Rolling Stock – Image Merseyrail/Stadler
In addition to Merseyrail suffering strike action, Both Northern Rail (operated by Arriva Rail North) and Southern Rail (Operated by Govia Thameslink Railway) will have strikes impacting their services today in protest over driver only operated trains being introduced.
If you’re going to the Grand National today by train, allow extra time to get there and returning – because otherwise that suit or dress is going to get mangled in the crush when you get on one of those trains.
And spare a thought for those who have no train services today, and are on rail replacement services… if they can find them.
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