Slamming into the Buffers – another National Rail Strike (8th October)

It’s that time of the week again – so it must be time for another National Rail Strike.

This time, its the RMT Union calling its members out on strike.

What is going to be operating?

Network Rail has provided a map of what passenger services may operate. 20% of services are planned to operate (around 1 in 5 if you’re lucky) .

Map showing open lines for Saturday 8 October (PDF, 1 MB)

The strike will run through the 8th October, with impact into the 9th October.

What routes are open?

There is a major impact on the network, with many rural and low-trafficked routes closed as you can see from the map above. Compared to previous strikes, a lot more routes will see minimal to no services.

Network Rail has provided some sample first and last trains to/from London. In addition, engineering works over the weekend will be impacting services too.

Which train companies are impacted?

The full list is below (with each site’s strike notes).

For completeness, here are the confirmed plans of each train operating company:

What times will trains operate… if they are?

Limited operations on these days will be from 07:30 to 18:30 during strike days. Expect the bare-bones services, with capacity, with hourly or half-hourly services running, with late starting times and very early finishes.

Even during those operational hours, expect the services to start very late and finish early so journeys can be completed by 18:30.

Are services to airports impacted?

Yes. If you arrive outside the designated service hours, you will need to find an alternative way from your airport to your final destination. The reverse applies if traveling to the airport.

Serving the London Region:

TfL advises passengers to use Elizabeth line trains when they are operating, else to use the replacement buses to travel to and from Heathrow.

• Gatwick Express will not operate services. Use Southern or Thameslink services instead
• Stansted Express will operate two trains an hour between London Liverpool Street and Stansted.
• Luton Airport will be served by Thameslink up to four trains an hour and one train an hour by East Midlands Railway.

The DLR also has engineering works too.

Can I get a refund?

According to National Rail:

• If you have a ticket for travel on Saturday 8 October 2022 and your journey is affected, in whole or in part, by one of the train companies undertaking industrial action you can use this ticket to complete your journey either the day before or up to and including Tuesday 11 October 2022.

See https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/industrialaction.aspx.

What alternatives are there – if any?

At this point of the game, it might be possible to catch a Megabus, Flixbus or National Express service, but expect them to be packed.

Local transport options such as buses and trams will feel the impact of the strikes, with them expected to be a lot busier than normal.

For those who wish to utilize taxis, rideshares or even hire a car, expect the surge rates to be your best enemy.

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