Extra bus services aim to ease Leeds and Yorkshire rail strike problems

A 24-hour walkout by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at the Northern operator was due to get under way early this morning. Northern has said it is aiming to run about 40 per cent of its normal timetable during the strike but has warned that services are scheduled to wind down between 5pm and 7pm.

And the operator has confirmed that it should also be running around 300 extra replacement bus services in areas that will be without trains as a result of the stoppage.

Northern regional director Sharon Keith said: “Our aim is to deliver a public transport service for as many people as possible on Monday as we know Northern plays a key role in keeping the north of England moving.

“We expect all services, rail and bus, to be extremely busy and ask for customers’ patience on Monday.”

Northern customers have been told they can use their rail tickets today on Arriva buses, including Yorkshire Tiger services.

The Harrogate Bus Company is also due to run extra journeys on its 36 route between Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds.

The strike has been called by the RMT in protest at plans to change the role of guards on trains.