'Few services after 5pm' - Northern announces timetables for RMT strike on 15 December

Northern has announced details of the services it will operate for the RMT strike action on Saturday 15 December and the following two Saturdays.

The RMT strike action, planned for 15, 22 and 29 December, will see Northern running approximately 700 services during each Saturday - but with very few Northern services running after 5pm.

Those Northern services that do run, and other operators’ services, are expected to be extremely busy as the build-up to Christmas continues.

Northern has called for RMT to suspend its damaging December strike action and return to talks at ACAS.

David Brown, Managing Director at Northern, said: “By the end of December, we will have had 19 consecutive Saturdays of RMT strike action. This targeted action disrupts our customers’ lives. But, as we enter a vital period for businesses, it also damages the economic wellbeing of the north of England.

“We have fantastic colleagues who have supported customers by keeping our trains running on each of the RMT strike days. We are aiming to keep as many people moving as possible and ensuring customers can still travel into the biggest towns and cities for the big seasonal events including Christmas markets - but with very few services running after 5pm.

“We expect all of our services, and those of other operators, to be extremely busy and are calling on our customers to plan their travel carefully for the coming weekend, check the new timetables well in advance, and make sure they do not rely on the last trains home.”

As well as Christmas markets, there are a number of significant sporting fixtures and other events this weekend and customers are asked to check timetables and plan carefully:

Manchester Christmas Markets services

• WIGAN WALLGATE – No Northern trains to Manchester, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• ROCHDALE – One train per hour between Rochdale and Manchester – last train to Rochdale is at 5.17pm from Victoria

Football

• Manchester City v Everton - No Northern trains between Liverpool and Manchester, customers should seek alternative means of transport
• Bolton v Leeds - No Northern trains between Manchester and Leeds, customers should seek alternative means of transport

Other

• First Direct Arena (Leeds) – Jane McDonald
• Manchester Arena – Nile Rogers and Chic
• Echo Arena (Liverpool) – Def Leppard

There are no Northern services after any of these events – customers should seek alternative means of transport.

On routes where trains are running all services are expected to be extremely busy. There are replacement bus services available on some routes where trains aren’t running.

For full timetables please visit:

• www.northernrailway.co.uk