Avanti West Coast has announced significant travel disruptions due to a planned nationwide strike on Sunday. The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said major changes would be made as its members went on strike, with many train services disrupted.
Service Interruptions and Delays
Engineering works between Rugby and Stafford will also increase journey times. There will be limited services every two hours for passengers travelling to Glasgow and Liverpool, while Avanti trains will not be running for those travelling to Blackpool, Edinburgh or North Wales. Services will run from 8am on Sundays, with the last departure at 5pm. A replacement bus service will be in place for services between Coventry and Nuneaton.
What Should Passengers Do?
Avanti officials advised passengers to plan ahead, extend journey times and check timetables carefully as the combination of the strike and limited hours could lead to packed trains. Trains are also expected to be busy due to the impact of football matches.
Avanti's Description and Customer Support
Avanti’s customer experience director Kathryn O’Brien acknowledged the frustration felt by passengers over the strike, saying passengers who were due to attend events or visit family would face significant inconvenience. O’Brien suggested ticket holders consider alternative travel dates or request a refund.
Avanti said it was open to continued negotiations with the RMT and was looking for a long-term solution. The union said previous talks had been constructive and that talks would continue to resolve the disputes. However, if both sides cannot reach an agreement, there could be more strikes in the coming months.
Travelers are advised to be prepared for this challenging weekend and organize their trips accordingly.
