TransPennine Express warns of travel trouble over Easter

Transpennine Express (TPE) says people should plan their journeys over Easter to avoid the impact of strikes.

Action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) is due to take place on both Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday (16 and 17 April), with only a very small number of trains in operation.

TPE is hoping people will therefore not travel on either of these two days, and instead, travel either side.

RMT has now announced a series of strikes by conductor members, with action now planned to take place on Sundays from 27 March up until 5 June and on the following weekends: 16 and 17 April, Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May and Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June.

Any trains that do operate will be far busier than usual and anyone making an essential journey should allow plenty of extra time to travel and plan and check carefully via the TPE website or National Rail Enquiries. Bikes will not be permitted on-board TPE services on any of the strike dates.

Kathryn O’Brien Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express said: “We are saddened that strike action by RMT is set to cause further disruption to trains over the Easter weekend, at a time when people will be relying on our services to allow them to catch up with friends or family.

“Unfortunately, we are instead urging customers to avoid travelling on both Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, and instead make their journeys either side of the strike dates.

More information on the strikes can be found here.

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