An amended train timetable will be in operation for First TransPennine Express customers on Wednesday 24th August and Friday 26th August.
The train operator said that ‘due to industrial action by train drivers, conductors and station colleagues that there will be changes to the current publicised timetable’.
The number of trains operated by FTPE will be reduced and customers are advised to check their journey details if they intend to travel between 00:01 and 23:59 Wednesday 24th August and 00:01 and 23:59 Friday 26th August.
FTPE has ‘focused its available resource on providing as much capacity as possible to where demand for rail travel is highest’.
A reduced number of trains will operate between Manchester, Leeds and York and between Manchester and Sheffield. Four services in each direction will operate between Manchester and Edinburgh.
Details of how customers can reach other destinations that are usually served by FTPE can be found by visiting the website.
All reservations have been suspended on FTPE services on both Wednesday 24th and Friday 26th August.
Vernon Barker, Managing Director for FTPE commented;
“We are very disappointed that industrial action is going to affect the journeys of our customers. A minority of our staff have voted in favour of this action.
“We have been able to produce an amended timetable, that whilst reduced, will certainly provide a substantial train service for passengers.
“We know this is going to be disruptive and as a result we have relaxed ticket restrictions, increased capacity and worked with other train operators who have been very generous in supporting us in helping customers to complete their journeys.
“Once again I want to apologise to passengers for the actions of both ASLEF and the RMT. FTPE remains open to further discussions and I would urge the representing unions to not proceed.
“Industrial action will not benefit anyone, least of all our customers and now is the time for discussion and not disruption.”
The majority of services operated by FTPE on Wednesday 24th August and Friday 26th August will run as either six carriages or four, which ‘in many cases is double the usual capacity’.
Customers are also advised that ticket restrictions have been lifted and customers travelling with an FTPE ticket can re-arrange their journey to travel either 48hrs in advance of the stated date or up to seven days after the conclusion of any industrial action.
