EMR strongly advise customers to check before they travel as it enters week of strike disruption

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has advised customers to check before they travel and only make the journey if absolutely necessary as it heads into a week of strike disruption - starting from Saturday. 

Members from RMT, TSSA, ASLEF and Unite will be taking strike action - with disruption taking place on Saturday, 1 October, and between Wednesday, 5 October to Saturday, 8 October. 

EMR will not run any services on Wednesday 5 October as train drivers who are members of the ASLEF union will be taking strike action. 

Unite members predominantly work in depots and their action will significantly reduce EMR's depot operations. 

As in previous strikes, EMR has been working with colleagues across the railway to ensure they can deliver a robust and reliable service for their customers where possible.

Customers are strongly advised to check the EMR website, information in stations and social media for the latest advice and information.  

Will Rogers, Managing Director at East Midlands Railway, said:

"As a result of strike action being taken by multiple unions across the country, we will be operating a significantly reduced service on strike days. In addition, we will unfortunately not be able to operate any trains on Wednesday 5 October.  

"We have worked hard to provide as many services as safely possible but it is a complicated situation with our timetables being impacted differently depending on which union is on strike. 

“That is why we are strongly advising customers to plan ahead and only travel by rail if absolutely necessary on strike days. More detailed advice, including daily travel information, is available on our website."

A significant pool of contingency staff have been trained (to the same safety critical standards as their permanent colleagues) to ensure a service can continue to operate on some days. 

Strike information 

Saturday 1 October

Members of the RMT and TSSA unions will take strike action on Saturday 1 October. EMR services will operate between 0730 and 1830 only.

EMR Intercity

• One Train Per Hour between Nottingham and London in both directions calling at Beeston, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough, Leicester Market Harborough and Kettering.
  
  
• One Train Per Hour between Sheffield and London in both directions calling at Chesterfield, Derby, Long Eaton, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough and Leicester.
  
  
• One Train Per Hour between Corby and London in both directions calling at Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway.
  
  EMR Regional
  
  
• One Train Per Hour between Derby and Matlock
• One Train Per Hour between Derby and Nottingham
• One Train Per hour between Sheffield and Nottingham
• One Train Per hour between Leicester and Nottingham

All other lines of route will be closed and Rail Replacement Bus services will not be provided.

Sunday 2 October

There will be no strike action on EMR services on Sunday 2 October. However, there will be a slightly later start up first thing in the morning as a result of the strike action on Saturday 1 October. Please check your journey before setting off.

Monday 3 October and Tuesday 4 October

There will be no strike action on and a full service is expected to operate.

Wednesday 5 October 

Members of the ASLEF union will take strike action on Wednesday, 5 October. Members of the TSSA union will also be taking action short of a strike.

ASLEF represents train drivers and therefore we will not be operating any trains.

Thursday 6 October 

Members of the Unite union will take strike action from midnight on Thursday 6 October. Unite members predominantly work in our depots and this affects our ability to provide trains for the days service.  

As a result, we will operate a significantly reduced service on both Thursday 6 and Friday 7 October.  

EMR Intercity (between 07.30 and 18.30 only)

• One Train Per Hour between Nottingham and London
• One Train Per Hour between Sheffield and London 

EMR Connect (normal timetable)

• Two trains per hour between Corby and London (normal timetable)

EMR Regional (between 07.30 and 18.30 only)

• One Train Per Hour between Derby and Matlock
• One Train Per Hour between Derby and Nottingham
• One Train Per hour between Sheffield and Nottingham
• One Train Per hour between Leicester and Nottingham

In addition, a slightly reduced service will be provided on the Robin Hood Line. A near hourly service will operate between Nottingham and Worksop with services starting earlier and finishing later compared to other EMR Regional routes.  

All other lines of route will be closed all day on Thursday and Friday. 

Timetables for all services will be available shortly and will appear on journey planners later this week.  

Friday 7 October

Members of the Unite union will continue their strike action through to midnight on Friday 7 October. EMR will operate the same service on Friday as the day before (stated above). 

Saturday 8 October

Members of the TSSA union and RMT will take action short of a strike on Saturday 8 October. The same timetable will operate as was in place on October 1 (details above). 

Sunday 9 October

There will be no strike action on Sunday 9 October and a full service is expected to operate. However, there will be a slightly later start up first thing in the morning as a result of the strike action the day before.