Brits are to be hit with another round of tube and train strikes in October as the dispute between rail workers and operators over working conditions, pay and jobs continues.

Industrial action and national rail strikes have disrupted the commutes and travel plans of millions of passengers over the past 15 months - first beginning in June 2022.

Drivers from the Asflef union will walk out on September 30 and October 4 which is expected to lead to thousands of cancellations on each day.

An an overtime ban has also been accounted for September 29 and from October 2 to 6 which will likely disrupt rail travel for over a week.

The Argus: Drivers from the Asflef union will walk out on September 30 and October 4 which is expected to lead to thousands on cancellations on each day. ( PA)Drivers from the Asflef union will walk out on September 30 and October 4 which is expected to lead to thousands on cancellations on each day. ( PA) (Image: Lauren Hurley/PA Wire)

Mick Whelan general secretary of the train drivers' union, ASLEF said: "While we regret having to take this action- we don't want to lose a day's pay, or disrupt passengers as they try to travel by train - the government, and the employers have forced us into this position."

It also comes as the RMT union has announced another set of tube strikes which could see a walkout of its 3,500 staff members.

When are the next train strikes in September and October 2023?

Union members who work at 16 different rail companies are expected to strike on Saturday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 4.

The strike dates coincide with the first and last days of the four-day Conservative Party Conference which takes place in Manchester each year. 

The Aslef overtime ban will be implemented on Friday, September 29 and from Monday 2 to Friday, October, 6.

The Argus: Union members who work at 16 different rail companies are expected to strikes on Saturday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 4. ( PA)Union members who work at 16 different rail companies are expected to strikes on Saturday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 4. ( PA) (Image: PA)

Which train services will be affected by the strikes?

16 train companies will be affected by the upcoming industrial action, these include:

  • Avanti West Coast
  • Chiltern Railways
  • c2c
  • CrossCountry
  • East Midlands Railway
  • Greater Anglia
  • GTR Great Northern Thameslink
  • Great Western Railway
  • Island Line
  • LNER
  • Northern Trains
  • Southeastern
  • Southern, including Gatwick Express
  • South Western Railway
  • TransPennine Express
  • West Midlands Trains

 

Transport for Wales, ScotRail and the Eurostar is unaffected.

However, passengers should note that connections to and from London St Pancras International (the train operator’s main hub) may be difficult at times because of industrial action's impact on the three domestic train operators at the station (East Midlands Railway, Southeastern and Thameslink).

When are the tube strikes in October 2023?

The tube strikes on the London Underground are expected to take place on Wednesday 4 and Friday, October 6, RMT has announced.

The fresh industrial action comes after workers walked out over multiple days this year as a result of pay and working conditions disputes.

General Secretary of RMT, Mick Lynch, said: 'Station staff have had enough of having their livelihoods threatened by job losses and attacks on their terms and conditions. 

'These job cuts and attacks on conditions are going to lead to more unstaffed stations, temporary closures and rising passenger anger.

'This strike action will lead to the tube being shutdown and we call on Mayor Sadiq Khan to meet us urgently to discuss this matter."

The Argus: These are the train and RMT strikes you need to know about for October 2023. (Pete Clifton/PA)These are the train and RMT strikes you need to know about for October 2023. (Pete Clifton/PA) (Image: Pete Clifton/PA)

What can I do if I've booked a ticket on a strike day?

If you have purchased an Advance, Anytime or Off-Peak ticket, you can have your ticket refunded with no fee  - if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.

Train operators are expected to offer some flexibility to travel on a wide range of non-strike days.

Passengers with season tickets who do not travel can claim compensation for the strike dates through Delay Repay.

Customers are being urged to plan their journeys ahead.

You can also seek alternative methods of transport including travelling on long-distance coach operators like FlixBus, National Express and Megabus.