For those of you who are depending on the train to get you from A to B in the United Kingdom, allow extra time or make new plans, as the ASLEF union continues to take its members out on strike.
As with the last few strikes, ASLEF will take its members out in different groups and on different dates, affecting train operating companies differently
- Tuesday 7 May: c2c, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, South Western Railway
- Wednesday 8 May: Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Railway
- Thursday 9 May: LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express
In addition, from the 6th of May to the 11th of May, ASLEF drivers will be operating an overtime ban. As such, expect short-notice cancellations in addition to the strike days
Going to the airport? Allow extra time or make backup plans
London Heathrow
The Heathrow Express will run between Paddington and Heathrow, with a reduced service offered on the 9th of May.
The Elizabeth Line will operate a normal service, as will the Piccadilly Line.
London Gatwick
The Gatwick Express will not run between 7th May and 11th May. Use Thameslink/Southern Services instead. On Tuesday 7th May, services will be very limited to a Southern shuttle service calling at Gatwick Airport and London Victoria only (operating between approximately 05:00 and 23:00)
London Luton
On Tuesday 7th May, a Thameslink shuttle service will operate, calling at St Pancras, Luton Airport Parkway and Luton only (operating between approximately 07:00 and 19:00). EMR will operate services, however, the Connect Services will be busier than normal.
On the 8th of May, there will be no EMR service, however, Thameslink will run its normal service (subject to short-notice cancellations)
London Stansted
The Stansted Express will be running an hourly service from London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport on the 7th of May.
- Trains depart from Stansted Airport between 05.50 and 23.45
- Trains depart from London Liverpool Street between 04.40 and 23.25
Birmingham Airport
There will be minimal services at Birmingham Airport on the 8th of May, with a bi-hourly service to Birmingham, Shropshire and Wales. Use National Express Bus X1 instead.
Manchester Airport
There will be no services to and from Manchester Airport as both Northern and Transpennine Express are out on strike the same day. Use Metrolink to go between the city and the airport
There’s never a good time for a strike
With Train operating companies, the government and ASLEF unable to shift the positions to a negotiated settlement, there’s such thing as a good time to strike (as the UK returns from a bank holiday weekend).
As usual, keep an eye on National Rail Enquiries for the latest news, as well as the train operating company you’re travelling with.
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