The RMT union has announced strike action that will affect rail services this Saturday, August 26 and Saturday, September 2, and Aslef has announced strike action for Friday, September 1. 

On the strike days a reduced, revised timetable will operate across several train operators, including Great Western Railway. 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 Reading Festival should note that there will be no late-night return services in the evening of Saturday, August 26. 

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: 

Season-ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme. Great Western Railway’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.