Rail passengers across the southern and eastern regions of England, particularly those commuting into London, are facing significant disruptions on Monday due to the final day of strike action organized by the train drivers’ union, Aslef. This strike marks the culmination of three days of industrial action.
Aslef union members initiated a 24-hour strike affecting eight operating companies: c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway, and Thameslink. The ongoing dispute, which originated in 2022, revolves around issues concerning pay and working conditions.
Several operators, including Great Northern, c2c, and the Gatwick Express, have confirmed the suspension of all services for the duration of the strike. Southern and Thameslink will operate limited shuttle services, primarily serving crucial locations such as Gatwick Airport, London Victoria, London St Pancras, Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, London Kingâs Cross, and Cambridge. Southeastern and Greater Anglia also anticipate reduced services, with only a fraction of their usual stations operational.
South Western Railway plans to maintain an extremely limited timetable, urging passengers to travel only if absolutely necessary, with all services ceasing by 7 pm. Furthermore, all affected companies have cautioned travelers about potential disruptions spilling over into Tuesday.
This strike coincides with an overtime ban imposed by Aslef at 16 other operators across England on Monday and Tuesday, further heightening the risk of short-notice cancellations and service disruptions. Although train drivers in Scotland and Wales are not partaking in this industrial action, cross-border services could still face disruptions.
The current strike follows two days of action on other parts of the rail network over the preceding weekend. In a statement posted on Aslef’s official channels, Mick Whelan, the union’s general secretary, emphasized the willingness to seek resolutions through dialogue, citing past successful negotiations.
Responding to the situation, the Rail Delivery Group expressed regret over the disruptions caused by Aslef’s leadership’s decision to strike, while reassuring passengers of efforts to minimize service interruptions. The Department for Transport criticized Aslef for targeting passengers and preventing their members from voting on the existing pay offer.
In light of the ongoing strikes and potential travel disruptions, passengers are advised to stay informed about the latest travel updates and plan their journeys accordingly.
