Due to the RMT Union's industrial action affecting Virgin Trains on 19 November 2019, an amended timetable will be running all day. Trains will still be operating, but there will be a reduced service with a revised timetable so trains are expected to be busier than usual.
Cancellations and changes to some services means seat reservations made before 2 November 2019 will no longer be valid. Tickets for cancelled or amended services may be used on the Virgin Trains service directly before or after your scheduled booking. Make sure that, before you travel, you check the Virgin Trains website for up-to-date information and timetables.
Reservations made before 2 November 2019:
These seat reservations are no longer valid. Some trains that were advertised before this date have been cancelled or amended. Therefore, it's important to check the Virgin Trains website and revised timetables before travelling.
If you have an Advance ticket for a train that has been cancelled, you may travel on the train directly before or after your booked Virgin Trains service, though unfortunately your seat reservation won't be valid.
Reservations made from 3 November 2019:
These seat reservations will be honoured. Trains will be busier than usual so please check the Virgin Trains website and revised timetables before travelling.
Remember, you can travel on the Virgin Trains service immediately before or after the service you've booked if your scheduled train is cancelled.
FAQs:
When is the strike?
The planned industrial action will be taking place all day on 19 November 2019. We're expecting trains on this date to be busier than usual. Please check up-to-date information and timetables before you travel.
Can I change or get a refund for my booking if my train has been cancelled?
Yes. You can apply for a refund or to change your ticket, for free. Remember, you can also travel on the Virgin Trains service immediately before or after your scheduled trip.
If you purchased by phone, online or via our app, give the Virgin Trains refunds team a call on 03445 565650 or request a refund via 'My Account' on virgintrains.co.uk.
Alternatively, if you purchased your ticket at a station, please head back to that station for a refund.
If the ticket was booked via the Group Sales team, please give them a call on 03331 030 90 or email group.reservations@virgintrains.co.uk
What if I booked before 2 November 2019?
Seat reservations made before 2 November 2019 will no longer be valid. Customers with Advance tickets should check the revised train times and, if the train you booked doesn't exist, you can travel on the train before or after. Tickets will only be valid on the day of travel for the train immediately before or after your scheduled train and not on any other service.
Will seat reservations be honoured during the strikes?
Seat reservations made before 2 November 2019 will no longer be valid. However, if you booked a seat reservation after this date, then your seat reservation is still valid.
Will catering and the onboard shop be available?
Virgin Trains are planning to run a full catering service, however there may be some trains where this will not be possible.
Will the trains be busy?
Trains are expected to be busier than usual on 19 November 2019 as a reduced timetable is running.
Will Virgin Trains be serving all stations?
Unfortunately, there are a few stations Virgin Trains won't be serving on 19 November 2019. These are:
⢠Edinburgh (Waverley)
⢠Blackpool North
⢠Shrewsbury
⢠Wrexham General
⢠Haymarket (Edinburgh)
⢠Wellington
⢠Telford Central
⢠Kirkham & Wesham
⢠Poulton-le-Fylde
There will be also be some stations with a very limited number of Virgin Trains services:
⢠Wilmslow
⢠Chester
⢠Flint
⢠Prestatyn
⢠Rhyl
⢠Colwyn Bay
⢠Llandudno Junction
⢠Bangor
⢠Holyhead
If you have booked a Virgin Train to / from one of the above stations, we can confirm the following train operating companies will accept Virgin Trains tickets on this day:
Northern
- Preston - Blackpool North
- Crewe - Manchester Piccadilly
TransPennine Express
- Carlisle - Edinburgh (Waverley)
Scotrail
- Glasgow - Edinburgh (Waverley)
Transport for Wales
- Crewe / Birmingham New Street - Shrewsbury / Wrexham
- Crewe - Chester / Holyhead
- Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly
Check before you travel:
We strongly recommend you check up-to-date train times before you travel. You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time
Journey
Planner
Twitter:
If you would like to follow this incident on
Twitter, please use #VTStrike
Compensation:
You may be entitled to
compensation if you
experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train
ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any
claim.
Feedback:
We want to make information better - tell us how! Fill
out this online Disruption Survey.