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Train passengers face travel woe Train passengers face travel woe
(about 19 hours later)
Rail passengers are facing two days of travel chaos as train conductors strike in a row over bonus pay and rotas. Thousands of rail passengers in the midlands are being forced to change their travel plans because of another strike by conductors on Central Trains.
The two 24-hour strikes on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will affect the majority of Central Trains' services. The 48 hour walkout over bonus pay and rotas, began at midnight and contiunes throughout New Years Day.
A strike on Christmas Eve closed the entire Central network, but the firm said it hoped to run a limited service. However, the rail firm said it had made plans to run a limited service.
The strikes will mainly hit passengers in the West and East Midlands but routes to Norwich, Cardiff, Cleethorpes and Manchester will also be affected. The worst affected routes are in the West and East Midlands, but lines to Norwich, Cardiff, Cleethorpes and Manchester are also affected.
STRIKE DAY SERVICES Both Days Lichfield-RedditchStourbridge - Birmingham Snow Hill - ShirleyDerby-NottinghamDerby-CreweNottingham - LincolnNottingham - SheffieldCambridge to Stansted Airport New Year's Day only Stourbridge Town - Stourbridge JunctionWolverhampton - BirminghamNottingham - WorksopSTRIKE DAY SERVICES Both Days Lichfield-RedditchStourbridge - Birmingham Snow Hill - ShirleyDerby-NottinghamDerby-CreweNottingham - LincolnNottingham - SheffieldCambridge to Stansted Airport New Year's Day only Stourbridge Town - Stourbridge JunctionWolverhampton - BirminghamNottingham - Worksop
The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said it expected solid support from 550 of its members and predicted that very few services would actually run. The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said it expected solid support from 550 of its members and that very few services would actually run over the two-day period. An earlier strike last week on Christmas Eve closed the entire Central network.
Central Trains bosses have accused the RMT of rejecting a plan that would have allowed services to run as normal.Central Trains bosses have accused the RMT of rejecting a plan that would have allowed services to run as normal.
It said senior conductors would have earned about £600 each if they had worked the three strike days.It said senior conductors would have earned about £600 each if they had worked the three strike days.
Andy Thomas, Central Train's operations director, said they had tried to provide services on popular routes where there were limited alternatives. Andy Thomas, Central Trains' operations director, said they would be operating services on popular routes where there were limited alternatives.
"I am pleased that we are able to provide a good level of service to passengers on both of the strike days over New Year," he said."I am pleased that we are able to provide a good level of service to passengers on both of the strike days over New Year," he said.
"We have worked hard to plan services which will help local people to complete their travel plans.""We have worked hard to plan services which will help local people to complete their travel plans."
NATIONAL RAIL ENQUIRIES 08457 484950NATIONAL RAIL ENQUIRIES 08457 484950
However, much of the network will be shut off with cross country services from the East of England hit hard. However, much of the network is shut off, with cross country services from the east of England hit hard.
There are no plans to run any trains in Leicestershire, Shropshire and Warwickshire with many other local routes closed. There are no plans to run any trains in Leicestershire, Shropshire and Warwickshire, with many other local routes closed.
Passengers are being urged to contact national rail enquires on 08457 484950 or check its website before travelling. Passengers are being urged to contact national rail enquiries on 08457 484950 or check the Central Trains website before travelling.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow had earlier said the rail firm had "turned down the opportunity to put in place a plan that would have allowed services to run".RMT general secretary Bob Crow had earlier said the rail firm had "turned down the opportunity to put in place a plan that would have allowed services to run".