Updates on Industrial Action

Trade unions have announced industrial action at a number of train companies, including GWR, and Network Rail on Saturday 1, Wednesday 5 and Saturday 8 October.

On these days train services will be severely disrupted and some parts of the GWR network will have no train service at all. Train services on the days following the industrial action will also be disrupted.

On strike days an extremely limited service will operate between 07:30 and 18:30, and the last trains will leave much earlier.

Where we are able to run services, they are expected to be extremely busy and we are not able to provide bus replacement services. Online journey planners will be updated with the latest timetable information as soon as possible. 

Passengers are advised to find alternative ways to travel on these days. Only travel by train if absolutely necessary. The majority of train services will not operate and there will be no services on many routes.

Customers who have already purchased tickets for strike days can claim a full refund or amend their ticket; those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to Delay Repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more. Season ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme.

To help customers, GWR is allowing people with tickets for travel on alternative days as follows:

• tickets for travel on 1 October are valid for travel on 30 September, 2, 3, and 4 October
• tickets for travel on 2 October are valid for travel on 2, 3, and 4 October
• tickets for travel on 5 October are valid for travel on 4, 6, and 7 October
• tickets for travel on 8 October are valid for travel on 7, 9, 10, and 11 October

GWR will operate as many trains as possible during the strike action, however the following travel advice is in place over the strike period:

Friday 30 September

Trains will run as planned with some minor changes to late-night services. Please check before you travel. The Night Riviera Sleeper will not operate.

Saturday 1 October – Strike Day

An extremely limited service will operate. Services will start at 07:30 and all journeys must be completed before 18:30.

Rail services will only operate on the following routes, between:

• Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington
• Reading and Didcot
• Reading and Basingstoke

There are NO other train services on the GWR network.
 
Avoid travelling and seek alternative ways to make your journey. If you are intending to travel on these routes, please only do so if absolutely necessary. Trains that are operating will be extremely busy.

Sunday 2 October

Trains will start later than usual with some morning services cancelled. A limited and reduced timetable will operate on long-distance services.

Trains which are running will be extremely busy and if you can travel on Monday 3 or Tuesday 4 October please do so, tickets will be valid. The Night Riviera Sleeper is operating.

Monday 3 October

A full timetable in operation.

Tuesday 4 October

Trains will run as planned with some minor changes to late-night services. Please check before you travel. The Night Riviera Sleeper will not operate.

Wednesday 5 October – Strike Day

An extremely limited service will operate. Services will start at 07:30 and all journeys must be completed before 18:30.

Rail services will only operate on the following routes, between:

• Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington
• Reading and Oxford
• Reading and Basingstoke

There are NO other train services on the GWR network.

Avoid travelling and seek alternative ways to make your journey. If you are intending to travel on these routes, please only do so if absolutely necessary. Trains that are operating will be extremely busy.

Thursday 6 October

Trains will start later than usual with some morning services cancelled. A normal timetable will resume thereafter, but we anticipate short-notice cancellations. Please check before you travel.

Saturday 8 October

The full impact of how train services could be affected by this industrial action is currently being assessed. This page will be updated closer to the strike action taking place.

Our refund policy and Book with Confidence policy will remain in place. If you hold a return ticket, you can claim a refund of your unused full fare, even if only one leg of your journey is affected. We will update this page with more information if the current situation changes.

Unions taking action:

1 October

• Strike Action: Aslef, RMT and Unite
• Action short of a strike: TSSA

5 October

• Strike Action: Aslef
• Action short of a strike: TSSA

6 October

• Strike Action: TSSA managers and office staff only

7 October

• Strike Action: TSSA managers and office staff only

8 October

• Strike Action: RMT

Frequently asked questions