The rail strike is in its second day of action with no end in sight.
In North Yorkshire only a few operators are running a handful of trains.
Selby station is one of the ones left with no services at all and because of the Arriva Bus strike there are few options if you don’t own a car
Graham Watson runs G’s Taxis in the town and has been telling us what it’s been like for him:
“As an ex-bus driver with Arriva in Selby, I totally understand what the other drivers are doing strike wise and as I’ve been in the public transport sector for 23 years I totally understand what the train drivers are doing.
“What has amazed me is the amount of people that are actually stuck in limbo and tell me they don’t have cars.
“I have been totally inundated from people that are basically saying Help! We’re stranded. We’ve got no way to get to Goole, York or Leeds.
This week has been it’s been a real eye opener”
Graham says it’s difficult to cope with the demand but by working together with other firms they can do their best to help customers.
They also often have contracts, like school runs to keep going as well.
He says he will do his best to help if he can’t do a job and either point people in the right direction or even ring round for them.
There is a positive side to the rail and bus strike for taxi drivers. They were hit hard during the covid-19 lockdowns. Now this is a way of making back some of the lost income.
Meanwhile, other people are finding other solutions.
Amanda works in the health service and has two children. She needs to get to work in York and they need to get to school in Carlton.
With no bus service her parents are driving down from York to help take the kids to school.
That means more expense for Amanda who is now paying for two lots of fuel for twice the number of daily round trips to and from York.
With prices going up at the pumps she wonders how long she can do that!
Strike Information for Thursday 23rd June
LNER
Around 38% of its usual trains will be running, which are likely to be very busy.
The last train from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh is at 2pm, while the final service to Leeds will depart at 3.05pm
The last train from Edinburgh to London is at 12.30pm, with the final departure from Leeds at 3.45pm.
TransPennine Express
Most services will see a “significant reduction” of trains.
Selby, Malton, Selby, Scarborough, Seamer, Yarm, Brough and Hull stations will be completely closed with no services calling there on strike days:
There will also be significant disruption on Wednesday and Friday.
Northern
Passengers are urged “not to travel” between Tuesday and Sunday as services will be suspended “on most routes” during strike days, and there will be a “significant impact” on non-strike days.
CrossCountry
A “very limited service” is planned between Bristol Parkway and Plymouth, and Birmingham New Street and Edinburgh Waverley via Leeds, York and Newcastle.
It warned of the possibility of last minute changes to the timetable.
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Grand Central
In most cases just three trains in each direction will be running on strike days.
Hull Trains
On strike days, trains will only run between Doncaster and London King’s Cross.
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