London, UK: Passengers on Great Britain’s west coast mainline will experience significant disruptions every Sunday from January 12 to May 25, 2025, as train managers strike over a rest-day pay dispute, represented by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).
The strikes will reduce services operated by Avanti West Coast, which runs key routes between London, Birmingham, and Glasgow. The company has urged passengers to avoid traveling on Sundays during this period and instead use tickets on other days or apply for fee-free refunds.
Service Reductions
Avanti West Coast has announced a “significantly reduced” timetable;
- London Euston: Four trains per hour will operate, one each to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston.
- Glasgow to Carlisle: Limited services will run, with replacement buses connecting Carlisle to Preston due to planned engineering work.
- No Service: North Wales, Blackpool, Edinburgh, Stoke-on-Trent, and Macclesfield will have no Avanti trains on January 12 and 19.
The last train from London Euston will depart at 5 p.m. on strike days.
Background
The strikes follow the rejection of Avanti’s latest pay offers in two referendums by RMT members. Talks between the union and the company are ongoing, but no resolution has been reached.
An RMT spokesperson said that, “Our members have resoundingly rejected Avanti’s latest offers, and sustained strike action is now the only way to focus management’s minds on reaching a negotiated settlement.”
Kathryn O’Brien, Avanti’s executive director of customer experience, expressed disappointment over the extended strike, urging customers to travel on alternative dates or claim a fee-free refund. She emphasized the company’s willingness to work with the RMT to resolve the dispute.
Operational Challenges
Avanti West Coast, a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, has faced widespread criticism for operational issues. The company canceled 7.8% of its trains in the year to November 9, 2024, making it the second-worst performer among the UK’s train operators, surpassed only by Northern, which had an 8% cancellation rate.
Despite these challenges, Avanti secured a new long-term government contract in 2023 to continue running Britain’s major intercity services.
Mick Lynch, the RMT’s general secretary, has also announced plans to retire in early May, during the ongoing strike period. As the dispute continues, passengers are urged to plan ahead and expect significant disruptions to their travel plans on Sundays.
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