Passengers planning to travel with Avanti West Coast around New Year’s Day are being advised to expect significant disruption due to strike action by train managers belonging to the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.
The strikes are set to take place on New Year’s Eve (December 31) and January 2, resulting in a “significantly reduced” timetable and limited operating hours. Avanti has urged customers to consider traveling on alternative days to avoid the impact.
Reduced Services and Affected Routes
Avanti announced it will operate a limited timetable on both strike days, with services running between 8am and 5pm. Key changes include:
- December 31:
- One train per hour between London Euston and Birmingham, Manchester, and Preston.
- A limited service between Liverpool and Crewe.
- No trains serving Macclesfield, North Wales, Blackpool, or Edinburgh.
- January 2:
- One train per hour between London Euston and Wolverhampton (via Birmingham), Crewe, and Manchester.
- A limited service between Glasgow and Preston.
- No trains serving Warrington Bank Quay or Wigan North Western.
Avanti anticipates busy trains during the strike period and has advised passengers to check their final train times in advance.
Ticketing Flexibility
To minimize disruption for passengers:
- Tickets for travel on December 31 or January 2 can be used on any date from December 30 to January 4, inclusive.
- Full refunds are available for passengers who no longer wish to travel.
Customer Advisory
Kathryn O’Brien, Avanti West Coast’s executive director of customer experience, expressed disappointment over the strikes, stating:
“Our customers will face significantly disrupted journeys as a result, and I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.”
She encouraged passengers to travel outside strike dates or seek refunds if necessary.
Union Response
The RMT union said its members rejected Avanti’s latest proposals and emphasized the need for strike action. General Secretary Mick Lynch stated:
“Avanti West Coast created this dispute by ignoring train managers’ concerns and presenting offers those members deemed unacceptable. The company must come forward with a revised proposal so we can avoid more strike action further into 2025.”
Looking Ahead
The strike action will extend to all Sundays from January 12 to May 25, 2025, further complicating travel plans for Avanti West Coast passengers. Negotiations between the union and Avanti continue, but resolution remains uncertain.
Passengers are advised to monitor updates on Avanti’s website and social media channels for the latest information.
