Workers from the UK's Southern Rail have launched a three-day strike in protest over the proposed introduction of driver-only trains.
On the eve of the driver’s union ASLEF’s strike, no Southern services will run on the strike days and people are advised to make alternative arrangements.
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For those who must travel, the train operator is providing limited bus and coach every day to provide road links for essential travel from nine of its stations into nearby neighbouring rail networks. Passengers will then be able to connect with other train operator services.
Southern stated that its train tickets will also be accepted by other operators’ transport.
Southern Railway passenger service director Angie Doll said: "Once again, we wish to remind our passengers not to attempt to travel unless it is absolutely necessary on this week’s strike days.
“There will also be significant disruption and hardship on the days ASLEF is not on strike because of their overtime ban, especially on Thursday when trains will be out of position because of the strikes on each day either side.
“The unions claim this is about safety, but Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Railways has carried out a thorough and robust review and has ruled what we are doing is safe."
Southern and Gatwick Express services are set to be severely disrupted until further notice as ASLEF has refused to allow drivers to work overtime.
Prior to the launch of this strike, UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) urged ASLEF to end its plans for strikes following confirmation by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) that Southern Railway’s plans for driver-only trains are safe.
