RAIL passengers are being urged to plan ahead amidst two days of industrial action set to take place next week, writes Jacob Scandrett.
On Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, there will be a limited timetable due to West Midlands Railway (WMR) staff strikes bu TSSA union members.
Some routes will have no service.
On Friday, no WMR trains will run after 7pm with the final services departing at 5.30pm.
Saturday will see trains start later than usual with services, which are running, being available from 7am.
On both days, the Cross City Line between Bromsgrove and Redditch and Lichfield, via Birmingham New Street, will have just four trains per hour.
Wolverhampton to Walsall via Birmingham New Street will have just two trains per hour
Rugeley Trent Valley to Birmingham International via Birmingham New Street will also have two trains per hour.
Trains will not run on any other WMR route during these days.
These will include all routes via Birmingham Snow Hill, the Camp Hill Line, Nuneaton to Leamington Spa, Birmingham New Street to Hereford and Birmingham New Street to Shrewsbury.
Continued disruption is expected on some services on the morning of Sunday, August 2, as trains will not necessarily be where they should to begin with.
Customers holding a ticket for the disrupted dates can use tickets on July 29 or 30 or August 2 and 3 instead.
Jonny Wiseman, WMR customer experience director, said: “It is disappointing TSSA has called further strike action which is set to disrupt travel for our customers.
“We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and urge TSSA to continue talks so we can reach a resolution to this dispute.
“If the strike action does go ahead, we will be running a reduced timetable on both dates.
“Customers are advised to check before they travel by visting journey planners and our website.”
Visit: wmr.uk/industrialaction for further information.
