Media centre

Monday 25 Jul 2022

Passengers asked to plan ahead and only travel if necessary in the South and South East as national industrial action expected on Wednesday, 27 July.

Region & Route:

Southern: Kent

| Southern

The rail industry is reminding passengers that services will be severely disrupted on Wednesday as a result of a national strike called by the leadership of the RMT union. 

Southern region operators South Western Railway, Southern, Thameslink and Southeastern will be running very limited services on the day, and those that do run will start late and finish early with lines open from around 7.30am until 6.30pm and last trains leaving considerably earlier than that.  Passengers should also expect disruption on the morning of Thursday 28 July, with a later start to services as employees return to duties. 

Network Rail Southern region managing director John Halsall said: “I’m so sorry for the disruption, and I know it comes on top of some really difficult days for passengers this summer. We have specially-trained staff preparing to come in on Wednesday to keep some lines open, but it will be a very limited service. 

“I can only thank our passengers, who have shown immense patience over this dispute and the disruption. Please do check before you travel on the 27th, paying particular attention to the times of your last trains home – they will be very early - and only travel if absolutely necessary.” 

Separately, train drivers’ union Aslef has called strike action across seven train operators on Saturday 30 July that will significantly disrupt some routes, so passengers are asked to check their journeys before travelling over the weekend as well. 

If passengers with an advance, off-peak or anytime ticket are affected by the strike on the 27th or 30 July, they can use their ticket either on the day before the date on the ticket, or up to and including Tuesday 2 August. Passengers can also change their tickets to travel on an alternate date, or get a refund if their train is cancelled or rescheduled. 

Passengers with a season ticket that is monthly or longer, or have an activated day’s worth of travel on a flexi season ticket who choose not to travel on 27 or 30 July, can claim compensation for these days through the delay repay scheme. Further information is on the National Rail website. 

Steve Montgomery, Chair of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We are incredibly disappointed that the RMT and Aslef leadership are continuing with this action, disrupting the summer plans of millions – including those attending the Commonwealth Games. 

“While we will do all that we can to minimise disruption to passengers, our advice is to only travel if it is necessary, and if you are going to travel, please plan ahead. If you’re not able to travel, you can use your ticket either the day before or up to and including 2 August, otherwise you will be able to change your ticket or claim a refund. 

“We have a responsibility to bring our railway up to date and give our passengers a more punctual and reliable service so that we’re able to give our staff the pay rise they deserve. But it is wrong to continue asking taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden when they have already contributed £600 per household during the pandemic, or to expect passengers to fund it by paying more for their tickets, when they too are feeling the pinch. 

“We ask the RMT and Aslef’s leadership to continue talking so we can come to a deal that works for our people, our passengers and for taxpayers.” 

For information and advice on what trains will be running and where, please see the National Rail website or check with your operator.