PASSENGERS on the Elizabeth Line have been warned of travel disruption later this week due to strike action.
The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) and Prospect are taking industrial action on Thursday, January 12, due to a dispute over pay.
There will be no service throughout the day in the central section of the line between Abbey Wood and Paddington.
The Elizabeth line will operate as separate railways on the east and west of the line, but customers should be aware that there may be short-notice alterations or cancellations.
In the west there will be limited services, with two trains per hour running from Paddington to Reading, two trains per hour running from Paddington to Maidenhead, two trains per hour running from Paddington to Heathrow Terminal 4 and no services running to Heathrow Terminal 5.
In the east, between Shenfield and Liverpool Street mainline station, the Elizabeth line will operate a Saturday service of eight trains per hour, with three extra services per hour during the morning and evening peak.
Transport for London has made a two-year offer of a 4% pay increase for 2022 and 4.4% increase in 2023. TfL representatives have described the offer as “fair” and have urged the TSSA and Prospect to engage in further discussions to avoid this strike and travel disruption.
Howard Smith, TfL’s Director of the Elizabeth line, said: “Strikes are bad news for everyone, and we urge the TSSA and Prospect to continue to work with us to avoid industrial action.
“These strikes will have a detrimental effect during a time where we are encouraging customers back on to trains into central London, in which the Elizabeth line has played a leading role.”
Where possible, customers are advised to consider alternative transport such as London Underground, London Overground, buses, National Rail services or walking and cycling.
The TfL Go app and Journey Planner will assist customers in planning their journeys.
A good service is expected to resume at around 9am on Friday, January 13.
For more information, visit: tfl.gov.uk/strikes