Avanti West Coast warns of major disruptions this weekend due to strike action by RMT Union members affecting train services.
Birmingham: Avanti West Coast is sounding the alarm for travelers this weekend. There’s going to be a lot of disruption because of strike action from the RMT Union. They’re planning walkouts on Sundays for the next four months, starting now.
The train managers at Avanti are the ones walking out, which means fewer trains will be running. This weekend is just the beginning, and it’s going to be a bit of a mess with limited service hours.
Remember, this isn’t the first time. RMT members already walked out on December 31 and January 2. On Sunday, January 12, there will only be one train per hour between Euston, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston. The first train leaves Euston after 8 am, and the last one heads out before 5 pm.
With fewer trains, you can bet they’ll be packed. So, if you can, try to travel before or after the strike times to avoid the hassle. Avanti is urging everyone to plan ahead and check their last train home.
If you’ve got tickets for January 12, you can use them anytime from Saturday, January 11, to Tuesday, January 14. But if you bought your ticket before the strike was announced, you can get a full refund without any fees.
Kathryn O’Brien, the Executive Director of Customer Experience at Avanti, expressed disappointment over the extended strike. She mentioned that it’s tough for customers who might be working or visiting loved ones during this time. She thanked everyone for their patience.
On strike days, it’s best to travel on different dates or get a refund. Avanti is still open to discussions with the RMT to sort this out.
Mick Lynch, the RMT general secretary, pointed out that Avanti created this situation by ignoring the concerns of train managers. He’s calling for a better proposal to avoid more strikes in the future.
The union is still willing to talk and hopes Avanti will take action soon.
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