Rail strike brings disruption for passengers on Trans-Pennine Express

theguardian.com:

Rail passengers are being warned of significant disruption to services over the bank holiday weekend because of a strike by workers and engineering work.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union have walked out in a long-running dispute with management at the TransPennine Express line over pay amid the cost-of-living crisis.

TPE urged people not to travel on Saturday or Sunday, saying it will be running an amended timetable on both days, with a very limited service available for those making essential journeys.

People heading to events including Jubilee celebrations over the weekend were urged to seek alternative transport, with added complications caused by planned engineering work.

TPE runs services between major cities such as Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, and from the north-west to Humberside.

It comes amid the prospect of a summer of disruption on the railways after RMT members voted last monthin favour of a national strike over pay and conditions.

Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director for TransPennine Express, said: “We are saddened that ongoing RMT strikes will mean we are unable to provide a full service for customers over such a special weekend, when celebrations will be taking place across the UK.

“With strike action planned for both Saturday and Sunday, coupled with major engineering work, our advice for customers is not to travel by train, and anyone heading to an event should seek alternative transport.

“Major engineering work by Network Rail will also mean changes for customers travelling across our North route, and we are calling on them to plan ahead and check their journeys.”

The union said the company was refusing the conductors’ request to increase pay for staff coming in on their days off