Southern Rail running amended service during national strike

Southern Rail is running a limited service all week, including today.

The first day of nationwide rail strikes called by RMT union began yesterday, while strike dates are set for Thursday, June 23, and Saturday, June 25.

But commuters are being warned to expect a Sunday service which includes no trains before 7.15am from Tuesday, June 21 and Sunday, June 26.

A Southern Rail spokesman said: “Between Tuesday June 21 and Sunday June 26 inclusive, please only travel if your journey is absolutely necessary, and expect severe disruption.

“The railway will operate limited opening hours with services starting later and finishing much earlier than usual.

Brighton station

“On strike days, the last trains will finish late afternoon. Please check your first and last trains carefully, as there will be no alternative travel outside of these services.

“As this industrial action is affecting the whole country, we will be unable to provide alternatives such as replacement buses and ticket acceptance with other local rail and bus operators.

“We recognise that it will be very difficult to travel and our advice, regrettably, is to travel only if your journey is absolutely necessary.”

Govia Thames Railway (GTR) workers are not on strike but the Southern Rail is running an amended timetable to ensure a “reliable and consistent service”.

Brighton station in March

This will impact all journeys, including on Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink all week.

Yesterday, The Argus visited Brighton station to see the impact on the first day of the strike.

Taxi drivers at Brighton railway station told The Argus they have seen a drop in trade yesterday morning.

One said he had taken just one fare between 9am and midday, when he would usually expect to take five or six.

A picket ran at the rear of the station in New England Road from 7am, but had left by 11am.