More travel disruption for passengers amid rail strike over pay dispute
It's affecting services across the West Midlands for a second day.
Rail passengers across the West Midlands will suffer fresh travel chaos on Saturday because of another strike.
Members of the RMT union will walkout at 14 train operators across England, on the day of the Eurovision Song Contest final in Liverpool, as their pay dispute continues.
The strike follows action on Friday by train drivers in the Aslef union, which crippled services, with some parts having no trains all day.
Aslef's general secretary Mick Whelan revealed there had been no meetings with the Government since early January despite continuing deadlock over the pay row.
He told the PA news agency that drivers were prepared to continue taking industrial action until they had a decent pay offer.
Aslef has described an offer of an 8% wage rise over two years as "risible".
Mr Whelan said: "The Government seems to think they can starve us back to work, or that we will give up, but that isn't going to happen.
"We are in this for the long haul and there will be more strikes."
Aslef has called further stoppages on May 31 and June 3, the day of the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
"Revised and fair offer"
The Rail Delivery Group said that after many weeks of negotiations with the Aslef leadership it had made a "revised and fair offer" including a pay rise of 8% over two years.
"It would have introduced overdue, common-sense improvements already in place in parts of the network, which would will see more trains running on time for passengers.
"Sadly, this has been rejected," said a spokesperson.
Passengers were urged to check before they travel on Saturday.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said he expected solid support for Saturday's walkout.
He said: "This strike takes place in the wake of a recent re-ballot of members working for 14 train operating companies which massively re-affirmed a mandate for further strike action.
"Throughout this dispute the Government has tied the hands of the railway companies and prevented them offering a fair deal.
"We are striking so that the employers and government can see the huge anger amongst rail workers is very real and they need to recognise that fact, face reality and make improved proposals."
There will be more train services on Saturday than on Friday but many companies are restricting their number of routes and hours of operation.