TransPennine Express amends Sunday timetables ahead of strikes
TransPennine Express is warning its customers to plan carefully ahead of planned RMT strikes
Last updated 10th Feb 2022
TransPennine Express (TPE) is warning its customers to plan carefully ahead of planned strikes this weekend.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has announced strike action by its TPE conductors on four consecutive Sundays, from 00:01 – 23:59 on 13th, 20th, and 27th February and 6th March.
The RMT says it is due to pay discrimination and said:
"After working right through the Covid pandemic and having a two year pay freeze enforced on them, TransPennine Express Conductors requested an increase in pay for working on their days off and on Sundays.
"The gap between what they get paid for working these days, and what other traincrew get paid for the same days has seen a significant increase with the workers feeling aggrieved at the unfairness."
In response, TransPennine Express has released an amended timetable for this Sunday, 13th February, that will see a significant reduction in available services.
While TPE says it will be able to maintain some core services on these dates, customers are being advised not to travel and to plan journeys for either side of the strike dates.
TPE will operate a limited service on the following routes:
- Manchester - York via Huddersfield and Leeds
- York - Scarborough
- Edinburgh - Carlisle
- Manchester Piccadilly - Sheffield
- Doncaster - Cleethorpes
Anyone planning to travel during the strikes, should check carefully, right up to the last minute via the TPE website (tpexpress.co.uk), as services may be subject to short notice changes. Customers should also allow extra time for journeys as the services TPE is able to operate will be far busier than normal.
Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express, Kathryn O’Brien said: “We are disappointed that RMT has chosen to disrupt people’s journeys at a time when the rail industry – alongside much of the nation – continues to feel the impact of the pandemic.
“We are doing all we can to keep our customers moving under difficult circumstances, but we simply will not be able to operate a timetable that provides a regular service. We will continue to review our strike response timetables and will seek to provide additional services where possible.
“Our advice to our customers is clear. This Sunday, do not travel unless you have to. If your journey is vital, plan and check carefully before travelling and allow plenty of extra time. Those trains we are running are likely to be far busier than normal.”
RMT's General Secretary, Mick Lynch, said:
“TPE conductors who kept the trains running throughout the pandemic have been left with no choice but to take strike action after being given a flat NO to their reasonable request to close the pay gap between themselves and other TransPennine workers by bosses who have mostly been at home throughout the Covid crisis.
“To add insult to injury Conductors on Northern Trains working alongside TPE Conductors have reached agreement for a small payment of 2p for a new method of checking tickets. Meanwhile, TPE Conductors have modestly asked for and been refused the same small payment for doing these checks.
“Our members refuse to be treated unfairly and will be continuing with industrial action until the pay discrimination is dealt with.
“The union remains available for talks.”
Full details of TPE’s amended timetables can be found via the website – tpexpress.co.uk or by checking National Rail Enquiries. To help customers get where they need to be on Sunday, TPE has arranged ticket acceptance with several other train operators. TPE tickets will be accepted on Northern, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Trains, LNER and Transport for Wales services. Some exclusions will apply and full details are available online.