STRIKE action will affect services at GWR and other train operators across the country on Wednesday, May 31, Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3.
In addition, action short of a strike on Thursday 1 June is likely to cause some short-notice alterations or cancellations.
The Aslef and RMT unions, which represent train drivers, station and on-board staff, will be taking strike action and action short of a strike which will severely disrupt GWR train services. A revised timetable will be in place on some routes, and parts of the rail network will have no service at all. Services that do run are expected to be very busy.
Where trains can run, it will be for a limited period during the day, with services starting later in the morning (07:00) and finishing earlier in the evening (19:00).
There will be a limited rail replacement service operating on strike days between Didcot Parkway and Oxford due to the emergency engineering work taking place at the Nuneham Viaduct. With two large sporting events taking place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 27 May and Saturday 3 June, Chiltern Railways is expecting services to be significantly busier on services from Oxford.
GWR is advising customers who wish to travel on strike days, where trains are running, to check before travelling and allow extra time for journeys.
Where trains are operating:
Wednesday 31 May – Aslef strike day
A very limited service will run only on the following routes between:
- London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads
- Reading and Didcot (with replacement bus services operating between Didcot and Oxford)
- Reading and Basingstoke
- Reading and Redhill (peak time only)
- Reading and Newbury (peak time only)
- Westbury and Swindon (peak time only)
- Cardiff and Bristol (two-hourly)
- Exeter and Barnstaple (peak time only)
- Plymouth and Gunnislake
- Penzance and St Ives
Thursday 1 June – Aslef action short of a strike
Trains will run as planned, however there may be some short-notice cancellations or alterations. Ahead of the strike action on Friday 2 June there will also be some minor changes to late-night services.
The Night Riviera Sleeper service will not operate.
A very limited service will run only on the following routes between:
- London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads
- London Paddington and Didcot
- London Paddington and Cardiff
- London Paddington and Plymouth (calling Pewsey, Westbury, Castle Cary)
- Gloucester and Swindon
- London Paddington and Bedwyn
- Greenford and West Ealing
- Slough and Windsor
- Maidenhead and Bourne End
- Twyford and Slough
- Reading and Basingstoke
- Oxford and Banbury
- Reading and Redhill
- Oxford and Didcot (replacement bus service)
- Cardiff and Westbury
- Bristol Temple Meads and Plymouth
- The Night Riviera Sleeper service will not operate.
Saturday 3 June – Aslef strike day
A very limited service will run only on the following routes between:
- London Paddington and Bristol
- Reading and Didcot (with replacement bus services operating between Didcot and Oxford)
- Reading and Basingstoke
- Reading and Redhill (peak time only)
- Reading and Newbury (peak time only)
- Westbury and Swindon (peak time only)
- Cardiff and Bristol (two-hourly)
- Exeter and Barnstaple
- Plymouth and Gunnislake
- Penzance and St Ives
Sunday 4 June
Trains will run as planned with some minor changes to early-morning services.
The Night Riviera Sleeper service resumes.
Customers who have already purchased tickets for strike days can claim a full refund or amend their ticket; those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to Delay Repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more.
To help customers, tickets will be valid for travel on alternative days on GWR services as follows:
- Tickets for Wednesday 31 May can be used on the day before the date on the ticket or up to and including Friday 2 June
- Tickets for Friday 2 June can be used on the day before the date on the ticket or up to and including Tuesday 6 June
- Tickets for Saturday 3 June can be used on the day before the date on the ticket or up to and including Tuesday 6 June
- Season-ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme.
