Advice to patients and visitors during the November bus and rail strike action

Posted 7th November 2017

We would like to advise patients and visitors traveling to and from our sites via public transport during the bus and train strikes throughout November to take care and plan ahead.

Passengers travelling to, from and within the Liverpool City Region are being urged to plan their journeys and check before they travel ahead of planned industrial action by members of Unite, GMB on Arriva bus services and RMT union on Merseyrail and Northern rail services.

Strike action will affect Arriva bus services on Wednesday 8th, Monday 13th, Monday 20th and Monday 27th November.

Passengers should also be aware that strike action will affect Merseyrail and Northern rail services as well as Arriva bus services on Wednesday 8th November.

On 8th, 13th, 20th, 27th November, Arriva services in Merseyside will not be running with the exception of the 713 and the existing park and ride services in Southport.

Bus services by other operators including Stagecoach are due to run as normal.

On 8th November, Merseyrail services are planned to run every 30 minutes, with the exception of the New Brighton to Liverpool services which will be every hour, from around 7am to 7pm, with a break in service between around 1130 and 1430.

Passengers are strongly advised to check the Merseyrail website and Twitter feed before travelling, as it is possible that timetables will change prior to, as well as during, strike action.

Meanwhile, Northern trains will operate a reduced service, with the majority of trains operating between 7am and 7pm. They expect their services to be busy and passengers are again advised to check before they travel.

Key advice for everyone in the City Region needing to travel on these dates is:

Travellers should take into account that they may have limited options and transport services running on the day will be busier than usual with potentially longer journey times.

  • Stick to public transport wherever possible: This is to reduce congestion on key routes in and out of the city centre including Mersey Tunnels.
  • Consider if your journey is essential: Consider making alternative arrangements. If you work, speak to your employer about whether there is any flexibility in working times, the possibility of working from home.
  • Travelling by car: Stick to public transport where possible but if you have to use the car, try and travel outside peak times and consider car sharing.
  • Avoid travelling at peak times where possible: If you work, speak to your employer about whether there is any flexibility in working times or times you could avoid travelling altogether. Please note there will be a break in Merseyrail services between around 11:00 and 14:00.
  • Leave more time for your journey: Services will be busier due to higher demand so you may need to allow more time for your journey
  • Consider your options: Different ways of travelling may suit your needs depending on where you need to go and at what time. You can use the Merseytravel journey planner

Further information and travel options are available:

For the latest on Arriva services follow Arriva on Twitter on @arrivanorthwest and Facebook @northwestarriva for further information about the services relating to the strike dates.

Information is also online here and customers can also enquire about their local bus service by contacting Arriva North West customer services on 0344 800 44 11.

For the latest on Merseyrail services click here or download and use the Merseyrail App.

For the latest on Northern services visit www.northernrailway.co.uk/strike www.journeycheck.com/northernrail follow @northernassist on Twitter or call 0800 200 6060.

For help with alternative journeys, use Merseytravel’s journey planner for travel options and get more details about routes and timetables here. Information is also available on the Merseytravel website.

Visit www.stagecoach.com for information about their bus services which will be running as normal.