The Aslef union has announced strike action that will affect rail services on Friday and the RMT has announced strike action for Saturday. 

A different reduced, revised timetable will operate on each of the strike days (September 1 and 2) across several train operators, including Great Western Railway (GWR). Many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all. Services will only operate for a limited period, starting later in the morning and finishing much earlier in the evening.  

Those travelling to/from Cardiff on Saturday, September 2 for the Speedway Grand Prix should note that there will be no GWR return services on Saturday evening and customers should seek alternative means of travelling. Those travelling to Cardiff for the Cardiff 10km on Sunday, September 3 should check journey times before setting out, especially if travelling from further afield.

If you intend to travel where trains are running, please check before you travel. Trains that are operating are expected to be busier than usual because GWR will not be able to offer the normal service frequency. Other train operators are also affected by this action, so onward travel could also be affected. 

Where trains are running, they are expected to be extremely busy and replacement bus services are not able to be provided. 

Customers who purchased tickets but do not travel can claim a full refund or amend their ticket. Those who travel and are delayed may be entitled to Delay Repay compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more. 

To help customers, tickets for strike days will be valid for travel on alternative days on GWR services, as per below: 

  • Tickets for Friday, September 1 can be used the day before or up to and including Tuesday 5 September
  • Tickets for Saturday, September 2 can be used on Thursday, August 31 or up to and including Tuesday, September 5

Season-ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme. GWR’s Refund policy remains in place. If you hold a return ticket, you can claim a refund of your unused full fare, even if only one leg of your journey is affected. 

For the very latest information and to check your journey please visit www.gwr.com/strike.