Rail Strikes Affect Passengers, Cause Disruption In UK

Rail transportation was expected to be affected in the UK on Thursday as train drivers were again on strike over pay and working conditions.

The strike was called by the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), impacting different commuters especially in North East England due to the strike action by the members, working at LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.

The train services across the UK are also being affected during the week as overtime bans are in place.

Most operators do not operate any trains on their strike days, affecting some services to Wales and Scotland.

Also, the overtime will reduce schedules during the week, disrupting some operators.

National Rail warned passengers of significant disruption, advising them to plan ahead and to check before traveling.

The latest round of strike action by members of ASLEF, the union representing 96% of British train drivers, kicked off on Tuesday over pay and working conditions.

Earlier, Mick Whelan, the general secretary of the union, said they are demanding a significant pay rise for train drivers who have not had an increase since 2019 while the cost of living, in that time, has soared. -