Rail strikes 2023: Sussex services affected as train drivers walk out

Members of the RMT union will walk out on Thursday, March 16 and Saturday, March 18 in an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.

The action is set to cause disruption across the county, with no service in some areas and "very limited" service across the network.

Govia Thameslink Railway, the operator in charge of Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Southern services, has warned passengers to check before they travel on these days as only a third of the usual services will be running.

Where services are operating, passengers should expect disruption, longer waiting times and busy trains.

First and last trains will be "particularly busy" and passengers are told to consider travelling later and returning earlier, especially because there will be no alternative transport made available by the operator.

This map shows which services will be running (Image: GTR)

Southern is hoping to run services on more routes than on recent strike days, however all those that do operate will be on a limited service, with a later start and earlier finish than normal.

Gatwick Express will also operate some services.

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Services will also start later on the days after the strikes - March 17 and 19.

Jenny Saunders, customer services director at GTR said: “We are really sorry for the inconvenience this RMT union action will once again cause our customers.

"With only a limited service running, starting later and finishing earlier than usual, I must advise customers to check for their specific journey details, as there’ll be lots of variations from station to station.

“I truly appreciate how hard this is going to be for our customers. These national strikes are terrible for everyone and are the last thing anyone wants as we try to regrow the railway after the pandemic.”