Your rights if your train is disrupted by rail strikes
With national rail strikes taking place across the Christmas period, we’ve put together some information on what your rights are if your plans are affected by cancellations, including if you can’t get to work, compensation if you have a season ticket and how you can claim if your train gets disrupted.
When are strikes taking place?
Industrial action is currently expected to take place on the following dates:
This may be subject to change and up-to-date information can be found on the Transport For Greater Manchester website.
Tuesday 13 December
Wednesday 14 December
Friday 16 December 2022
Saturday 17 December
Saturday 24 December (from 6pm)
Sunday 25 December
Monday 26 December
Tuesday 27 December (until 6am)
Tuesday 3 January
Wednesday 4 January
Friday 6 January
Saturday 7 January
On these dates, you should expect timetables and operating hours to be significantly affected. Strikes will also affect days before and after industrial action, so it’s a good idea to check your entire journey before you travel.
What are my rights if I can’t get to work?
If you can’t get to work because of travel disruption, your employer isn’t technically under any duty to pay you. However, this may not be the case if your employer decides to close the workplace on strike days.
You should talk to your employer about working from home, taking leave, or making up time later if you can’t get to work because of travel disruption. Your rights regarding travel disruption may be outlined in your employment contract - you should check this first.
Taking paid holiday
If there’s travel disruption, your employer can ask you to take paid holiday (annual leave), as long as they give the correct notice. This must be at least double the length of time they want you to take in annual leave. For example, for one day’s annual leave, your employer must give you two days’ notice.
Your employment contract may set down a different notice period and if so, this will usually apply.
Working flexibly
If you’re a flexible worker, your employer might ask you to work from home or make up time later. However, unless your employment contract says so, they can’t insist on this.
If the workplace is closed
If your workplace is closed because of disruption and you don’t usually work from home, employers can’t usually deduct pay. However, your employer might be able to ask you to go to another workplace or work from home.
Time off to look after children
If your child’s school is closed or their normal childcare arrangements are disrupted by the strikes, you could have the right to time off to look after them. This should be agreed between you and your employer.
Can I claim compensation if my train is disrupted?
Season ticket holders
If you’re a season ticket holder (monthly or longer), you can claim 100% compensation for strike days through Delay Repay. This needs to be done directly through the train operator that you bought the season ticket for.
Delay repay scheme
If you have a single ticket, you can claim 25% of your fare if your train is delayed by more than 15 minutes. This increases to 50% if your train is delayed by half an hour and 100% if delayed by an hour or longer.
For return tickets, this is calculated on whether one or both parts of your journey were disrupted. If you’re delayed by 120 minutes or more during one leg of your journey, you’re entitled to a full refund of the whole ticket price.
If you decide not to travel
You can get a full refund of your ticket price or change a ticket date if you decide not to travel of your own accord, but only if a specific train has been cancelled, delayed or rescheduled. More information on compensation can be found on the National Rail website.
What are my rights if my train gets disrupted by the strikes?
If your train has been cancelled due to industrial action, cross-industry ticket acceptance and temporary removal of ticket restrictions may be available to you.
If you’ve purchased an Advance, Off-Peak or Anytime ticket and choose not to travel because your service has been cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, you may be entitled to a refund or change from the original retailer of your ticket.
The Transport For Greater Manchester website has more information on compensation if your train is disrupted. It’s also a good idea to check the website of the company you bought your ticket from, to see what compensation your specific circumstances mean you’re entitled to.