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Southern Rail to run more trains and buses during next week's 72-hour Rail, Maritime and Transport Union strike

Southern Rail has announced it will run more trains and buses during next week's industrial action.

The 72-hour strike is being carried out by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' Union (RMT).

The strike is taking place after month's of problems between the franchise and the rail workers' union.

A Southern Rail train. Stock picture.
A Southern Rail train. Stock picture.

The two groups met this morning in an attempt to reach a conclusion, but talks broke down.

Southern has said it will extend the service it has been able to offer during previous strikes, with additional train services and replacement buses.

There will be replacement buses during peak hours between Tonbridge and Redhill, as well as later services to Redhill.

Two peak trains will run between Uckfield and London Bridge in the morning, with two returning later in the afternoon.

These services will be supplemented by buses connecting Uckfield, Buxted, Crowborough, and Eridge with Tunbridge Wells and Haywards Heath.

There will also be buses running all day between Ashford International and Hastings.

Some routes will however have a reduced service, while others will have no service at all.

The strike is scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Govia Thameslink, the owners of the Southern Rail franchise, has said that during this time, trains or replacement buses will run to nearly all 156 stations on its network.

It has also said that many routes will have trains running later in the day than on previous occasions.

The franchise plans to run 80 more trains than before, and 61% of its normal full timetable.

Angie Doll, Southern Passenger Services Director, said: "We very much hope that our talks tomorrow will be productive and bring an end to this unnecessary dispute.

"But if next week’s strike does go ahead, then we will be doing all we can to provide the best possible levels of service for our passengers, using every resource available to us."

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