A RAIL company regional boss has apologised to passengers as the firm sends out a plea to passengers to only travel if absolutely necessary during upcoming strike days.

As previously reported, ongoing disputes have led to the announcement of a further two strike action days on August 18 and 20, and passengers are being warned that some parts of the region will have no rail services at all. 

Hundreds of specially-trained and fully qualified back-up staff will again step in during the walkout to keep vital services running for those who need them in the south. 

SEE ALSO: South Western Rail announce rail strikes for August

Network Rail’s southern region managing director, John Halsall, said: “I’m so sorry for our passengers, who just want to catch a train to work, to the beach or to see their families and friends. Like them, I hope we can reach a resolution on this dispute. I want our people to get a pay rise but it needs to be affordable and funded internally from reform and changes to working practices, rather than demanding more from fare payers or taxpayers.

“There are very few trains running on strike days, with very late starts and early finishes so I would advise people to avoid travelling if they can. 

“Thank you to everyone, this has been so difficult for you and I can only apologise on behalf of everyone on the railway. Thank you for your patience and to our contingency staff for what they’re about to do for us and passengers this week.”

Repeated coordinated strike action by the RMT and TSSA unions will create severe disruption for passengers with only about a fifth of services running on around just half of the network across the country on Thursday, August 18 and Saturday, August 20. 

Passengers are also advised that there is likely to be some disruption in the early morning of the day after each strike – Friday 19 and Sunday 21 – as workers return to duties.  

SEE ALSO: Fresh train strike to cause more disruption for passengers

Steve Montgomery, chair of the rail delivery group, added: “The leadership of RMT and TSSA are imposing yet more uncertainty for passengers and businesses by disrupting passengers’ travel plans. 

“While we will do all that we can to minimise the impact and to get people where they need to be, passengers should only travel by rail if absolutely necessary and be aware that services may start later the morning after strikes

“The railway is too important to this country to allow it to decline, but with passenger revenue still 20 per cent below 2019 levels, securing a bright future means we have to change and move with the times. Only then can we fund the pay rise we want to give our people, while delivering the more reliable Sunday services and improved punctuality our passengers deserve.”