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suzyscottdotcomImportant information for passengers – East Midlands Trains to provide very limited service on Sunday 17 May
Article posted on 13/05/2009Due to virtually no drivers being available for work, East Midlands Trains will be providing a very limited service on Sunday 17 May and is advising passengers to re-arrange their journeys.
The decision by drivers not to make themselves available for Sunday shifts would appear to be linked to the notification East Midlands Trains has today (Wednesday 13 May) received from ASLEF that it is to ballot its members for industrial action over on-going pay negotiations.
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains said:
“For the second week running, it appears that the majority of our drivers have made themselves unavailable for work on Sunday. As we have had no indication otherwise, we can only assume that this is linked to the on-going drivers’ pay negotiations.
“This is an extremely disappointing and frustrating situation and it is not the correct way to conduct wage negotiations. Unfortunately, it is our passengers who will be most affected by the reduced services on Sunday which is the last thing we want.”
Commenting on the notification that East Midlands Trains has received from ASLEF that it is to ballot its members for industrial action, Mr Shoveller added: “ASLEF is clearly out of touch with the reality of the current unprecedented economic environment, which is affecting all sectors of the economy, from small businesses and major corporations to the public and voluntary sectors.
“Despite the constraints of the current tough economic climate we have been working extremely hard to put together the best possible package we can for our drivers and we are very disappointed that the union has chosen to ballot for industrial action, particularly at a time when negotiations are ongoing.
"Strike action will only inconvenience passengers, whose fares we rely on to pay our employees.”
Advice for passengers for Sunday 17 May:
• Any passengers with pre-booked tickets for Sunday 17 May can either use their ticket to travel on any train on Saturday 16 May or Monday 18 May
• East Midlands Trains tickets will be accepted on other train operators’ services – please visit the East Midlands Trains website for details of alternative routes
• A very limited train service will be provided by East Midlands Trains between Leicester and London (calling at intermediate stations) on Sunday afternoon and evening. However these services are expected to be extremely busy. Rail replacement buses will also be provided on some routes.
• Alternatively, passengers can claim a refund on their unused ticket.
The most up-to-date information about the services which the company will be able to run on Sunday will be available on eastmidlandstrains.co.uk or by phoning National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.
Severe disruption to the East Midlands Trains network on Sunday 17 May
| Last updated | 13/05/2009 16:26 |
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| Route Affected |
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| TOC Affected | East Midlands Trains |
| Description | Because of members of train crew being unavailable, East Midlands Trains are only running a very limited service on Sunday 17 May. A limited train service is expected to run between London St Pancras and Leicester on Sunday afternoon and evening, but no other East Midlands Trains services are expected to run. Exact details of times for these services have not yet been confirmed. Please check again closer to the time of travel. Alternative Routes Customers may use the following alternative services:
Other alternative routes and services may also be available with other Train Operating Companies on Sunday 17 May as well as those listed above. Ticket acceptance and refunds Customers with East Midlands Trains tickets dated for Sunday 17 May will:
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