This was written for us by : Vicky Cropper-Clarke Vicky.Cropper-Clarke@tpexpress.co.uk

I am writing regarding the planned industrial action set to be taken by employees who are members of the RMT and ASLEF trade unions.  The action being taken will severely limit the number of rail services we are able to operate across the network. The trade unions have announced industrial action affecting services on the following dates:

• Saturday 26 August – action by RMT
• Friday 1 September – action by ASLEF
• Saturday 2 September – action by RMT and ASLEF have imposed an overtime ban for their members

We are working hard to minimise the effect that this will have on our services but it is inevitable that services will be cancelled or severely disrupted with an amended timetable in place. There will be a very limited service in place with no services at all on some routes, or all routes on the day when ASLEF members are on strike.  In addition, this action could affect some services on the evening before and the morning after industrial action is taken.  Customers are therefore strongly advised to check the status of their journey before they travel during this period of industrial action.

Amended timetables have been published and can be found on the dedicated page on our website which also provides the latest information in relation to this strike action: https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/strike-action.  In summary:

• Due to the RMT industrial action on Saturday 26 August and Saturday 02 September we will only be able to operate a very reduced service on the following routes:
  • Manchester Piccadilly – Scarborough
  • Preston – Manchester Airport
  • Sheffield – Cleethorpes
• Due to the ASLEF industrial action on Friday 1 September we are unable to operate any services on any of our routes
• Due to the ASLEF overtime ban on Saturday 02 September some of the limited services we expect to operate might be affected by this action at short notice

Customers are strongly advised to check the status of their journey before they travel, including the evening before and the morning after, during this period of industrial action.

Refunds will be available to those who have booked travel on a strike day and cannot change to an alternative date.  With regret, bikes will not be permitted onboard TPE services on days when strike action is being taken. Some stations on the network may also be closed on strike days and rail replacement transport cannot be provided. 

We apologise for the ongoing disruption this industry-wide industrial action is having on our customers and the local communities and economies on our network, and hope that this information is of assistance.  If you have any queries, please let us know.