Train operator warns of strike action this weekend

TransPennine Express (TPE) is warning of disruption to people using rail services on Sunday, 20 February.

This includes those heading to the Leeds United vs Manchester United match.

The disruption is arising because of a strike organised by the RMT union.

An amended timetable will be in place on the day and, with a significant reduction in services, TPE is calling on customers to consider if their journey is necessary and to avoid travel if possible.

Fans heading to the Leeds United vs Manchester United match at Elland Road Stadium should seek alternative transport where possible. Northern will be operating some trains via their Calder Valley route and on the Leeds to Brighouse-Bradford-Leeds circuit, but these will be far busier than normal, and people are advised to check and allow plenty of extra time when making their journey.

On Sunday 20 February TPE will operate a limited service on the following routes:

Manchester – York via Huddersfield and Leeds

York – Scarborough

Hull- Leeds – Manchester

Edinburgh – Carlisle – Preston

Edinburgh – Newcastle

Manchester Piccadilly – Sheffield

Doncaster – Cleethorpes

RMT has also announced further planned strike action by its TPE conductors from 00:01 – 23:59 on 27 February and 6 March.

Anyone planning to travel during the strikes should check right up to the last minute via the TPE website, as services may be subject to short-notice changes. Customers should also allow extra time for journeys as the services TPE is able to operate will be far busier than normal.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express, said: “We are going to do all we can to keep people moving under difficult circumstances but, as with last Sunday, we simply will not be able to operate a timetable that provides a regular service. We will continue to review our strike response timetables and will seek to provide additional services where possible.

“Anyone planning on using the train this Sunday is urged to only do so if they absolutely have to. If your journey is vital, plan and check carefully before travelling and allow plenty of extra time. The trains we are running are likely to be far busier than normal.”

A spokesperson for Northern said: “We will endeavour to absorb the additional passengers; however, anyone thinking of travelling on these services should prepare for them to be very busy, and they may want to consider travelling at alternative times.”

Full details of TPE’s amended timetables can be found via the website – tpexpress.co.uk – or by checking National Rail Enquiries.

To help customers get where they need to be on Sunday, TPE has arranged ticket acceptance with several other train operators. TPE tickets will be accepted on Northern (not between Manchester and Leeds), Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, Lumo, LNER (between York and Edinburgh), ScotRail, Hull Trains and Transport for Wales services. Ticket acceptance is also in place for First Bus services in West Yorkshire for customers who may need to use a bus service to complete a rail journey. Some exclusions will apply, and full details are available online.

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