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Rail strike: When is it and which trains are running? Rail strike: When is it and which trains are running?
(1 day later)
Rail passengers are facing severe disruption this week. Rail passengers are facing further severe disruption.
A greatly reduced train service is in place because tens of thousands of railway workers are striking over pay and job cuts.A greatly reduced train service is in place because tens of thousands of railway workers are striking over pay and job cuts.
When are the rail strikes? When are the rail strikes and will there be more?
The strikes are on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Railway workers are holding the third and final day of planned strikes on Saturday.
Disruption is also expected across England, Scotland and Wales on other days, because of the time it takes to restore a normal service. Services in Northern Ireland are not affected. The strike has been called by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).
It has not announced any further strike dates, but says industrial action will continue for "as long as it needs to".
Separately, train drivers who are members of the Aslef union are due to strike over pay at Greater Anglia on 2 July and on Croydon Tramlink on 28 and 29 June and 13 and 14 July.
How many trains are running?How many trains are running?
Passengers are being advised not to travel on strike days unless it's essential. On Saturday, it is expected that 20% of services will be running between between 06:30 and 18:30.
A map has been published showing the lines operating and a special timetable up to 25 June is in place. Passengers are being advised not to travel unless it's essential.
On Tuesday, half of the rail network was closed and only 20% of services were running. A map has been published showing the lines operating.
Trains that were running started later and finished much earlier - between 07:30 and 18:30.
There were no passenger trains north from Glasgow or Edinburgh, none to Swansea and Holyhead and no trains to Penzance.
A similar impact is expected on Thursday. On non-strike days, service levels will vary between different operators.
In London, most of the Tube network was affected on Tuesday. This is not due to be repeated on Thursday, although there are warnings of disruption to some services including the London Overground.
Why are so many lines affected?Why are so many lines affected?
Staff at most companies which operate trains are striking - but even where they're not, services are being disrupted.Staff at most companies which operate trains are striking - but even where they're not, services are being disrupted.
This is because staff at Network Rail - which maintains the railways throughout Britain - have joined the action.This is because staff at Network Rail - which maintains the railways throughout Britain - have joined the action.
For example, Transport for Wales and Southern Rail - whose workers are not striking - have cut services back.For example, Transport for Wales and Southern Rail - whose workers are not striking - have cut services back.
Why is the strike happening?Why is the strike happening?
The strike has been called by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), which has tens of thousands of members, including everyone from guards and signallers to catering staff and cleaners. The RMT, which has tens of thousands of members, including everyone from guards and signallers to catering staff and cleaners, called the strikes over job cuts, pay and conditions.
The RMT called the strikes over job cuts, pay and conditions. It says an offer of a 2% pay rise, with the possibility of a further 1%, was "unacceptable", pointing to the rising cost of living - with inflation forecast to reach 11%.
The union says an offer of a 2% pay rise, with the possibility of a further 1%, was "unacceptable", pointing to the rising cost of living - with inflation forecast to reach 11%.
Network Rail said it would offer a pay rise above 3%, but only if the union agreed to modernise working practices.Network Rail said it would offer a pay rise above 3%, but only if the union agreed to modernise working practices.
How much are rail workers paid?How much are rail workers paid?
The RMT has also accused the government of preventing rail companies from freely negotiating on pay. Ministers say the dispute should be resolved between the unions and the employers.The RMT has also accused the government of preventing rail companies from freely negotiating on pay. Ministers say the dispute should be resolved between the unions and the employers.
The RMT says another issue is that Network Rail plans to cut 2,500 maintenance jobs, as it tries to save £2bn over the next two years. The union says the jobs are safety critical.The RMT says another issue is that Network Rail plans to cut 2,500 maintenance jobs, as it tries to save £2bn over the next two years. The union says the jobs are safety critical.
Network Rail says there would be no more than 2,000 job losses - and that all can be voluntary. It says it would not consider any changes that would make the railways less safe and that modernisation is needed.Network Rail says there would be no more than 2,000 job losses - and that all can be voluntary. It says it would not consider any changes that would make the railways less safe and that modernisation is needed.
The government has made various allegations about working practices on the railways that need changing, such as Sunday not being treated as a normal working day and staff refusing to be multi-skilled.The government has made various allegations about working practices on the railways that need changing, such as Sunday not being treated as a normal working day and staff refusing to be multi-skilled.
The RMT union has rejected these and responded: "It is simply false that the union is opposed to modernisation and change on the railways. If that was the case, we would still have tens of thousands of workers transporting coal for steam trains around the country."The RMT union has rejected these and responded: "It is simply false that the union is opposed to modernisation and change on the railways. If that was the case, we would still have tens of thousands of workers transporting coal for steam trains around the country."
The government says £16bn of taxpayers' money was used to support the railways during the Covid pandemic. However, with passenger numbers still down by one fifth, it says changes are needed.The government says £16bn of taxpayers' money was used to support the railways during the Covid pandemic. However, with passenger numbers still down by one fifth, it says changes are needed.
Will there be more strikes?
The RMT has not announced any further strike dates, but says industrial action would run "as long as it needs to".
It said the strikes could last months if a deal is not reached.
Separately, train drivers who are members of the Aslef union are due to strike over pay at Greater Anglia on 23 June and 2 July and on Croydon Tramlink on 28 and 29 June and 13 and 14 July.
Will I be able to get a refund?Will I be able to get a refund?
National Rail has published guidance covering different scenarios and ticket types.National Rail has published guidance covering different scenarios and ticket types.
If your train is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, National Rail says you are entitled to a refund from the retailer you bought the ticket from.If your train is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, National Rail says you are entitled to a refund from the retailer you bought the ticket from.
If you have a ticket for one of the strike days, you can use it the day before, or until Tuesday of the following week.If you have a ticket for one of the strike days, you can use it the day before, or until Tuesday of the following week.
Season ticket-holders who choose not to travel on strike days can claim compensation for those days.Season ticket-holders who choose not to travel on strike days can claim compensation for those days.
People are being advised to check with operators about switching to other routes to avoid disruption.People are being advised to check with operators about switching to other routes to avoid disruption.