Is there a Southern Rail train strike today? Strike dates for January 2017 and what to do if you have a season ticket
LONG-suffering Southern Rail commuters have been handed a boost - after its workers' union called off three days of strikes.
by the Aslef union.
But commuters still face disruption on today, 23 January with an RMT conductor strike going ahead.
Commuters using the service have already endured months of travel misery because of walkouts, overtime bans and reliability problems.
The rail company has told its passengers not to travel during their industrial action - so here's a handy guide on what to do if you have a season ticket:
Are Southern Rail workers on strike today?
Yes they are, conductors are walking out this morning with some routes cancelled and others on an revised service.
All routes will be affected but the key points are:
- A very limited peak service between London and Brighton
- No Gatwick Express service
- Reduced service between London and Littlehampton, Eastbourne and Ore.
- No Southern run services between East Croydon and Milton Keynes Central via Kensington Olympia.
- Limited peak service between Tulse Hill and London Bridge
- No Southern services to or from Beckenham Junction, Guildford or Wimbledon
- A reduced service between London and Caterham and London and Tattenham Corner
- Limited peak service between Redhill and London
- No direct link between Tonbridge and London
- No direct link between Reigate and London
- No Southern trains between Lewes and Seaford
- No direct service between London and Portsmouth or Southampton
- No direct Southern service between Ashford International and Brighton
Strike action is changeable. Check for the latest.
What do you do if you have a season ticket?
If you hold a season ticket covering a route where no service will operate and you cannot travel or choose not to, you can apply for strike compensation.
Southern Rail will provide you a refund of the equivalent of a day’s travel.
The quickest way for you to receive compensation is to apply using the .
Here's more on which Southern Rail routes will be affected and how to get to and from work using alternative services.
Why is Southern Rail in crisis?
The drivers’ union ASLEF had accused Southern Rail of putting “profit before passenger safety” after plans to introduce driver-only trains.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, said it is not safe to have trains running without guards on board following the recent terrorist attacks across Europe.
He said: “The company has not been prepared to move – it is simply going through the motions, turning up at ACAS, as it did yesterday, and telling us that it intends to impose DOO.
“We remain committed to a negotiated settlement, as was reached with ScotRail, but it is difficult to negotiate with people who are not prepared to be flexible.
“We still believe a deal can be done but we are, at the moment, a long way from that position.
“It is time for the company to come up with a genuine offer rather than carry on posturing.”
Who else is striking?
British Airways cabin crew are to stage a 72-hour strike from January 19 in a dispute over pay.
Union Unite announced the industrial action following a two day walkout this week.
The union warned of “continuing and deepening” anger among members of the so-called mixed fleet crew, who have joined BA since 2010.
Unite claims they are on “poverty” pay rates, with many forced to take on second jobs or turn up for shifts if they are sick because they cannot afford to be off ill.
This week the airline was forced to cancel about 48 flights as major travel chaos was predicted as a series of strikes threatened to hit those returning to work.
READ MORE
Jeremy Corbyn says he would join picket line with Southern Rail drivers
Heart-wrenching letter boy, 9, has written to Southern Rail begging workers to end strike
Furious commuters condemn Southern Rail strikes as ‘beyond a joke’
Now Southern Rail advises commuters to CAR SHARE instead of taking the train