Travel Disruption for Fans Heading to Major Events
Manchester City and Manchester United fans are facing significant travel disruption as train drivers announce strikes coinciding with the FA Cup final. The strikes are part of an ongoing dispute over pay, with the Aslef union rejecting what it termed a “risible” offer from the 16 train companies involved.
The planned strikes will occur on May 12, May 31, and June 3, the latter date coinciding with the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. This high-profile match, confirmed to kick off at 3 PM after safety assessments by the Metropolitan Police, is expected to draw thousands of supporters traveling from Manchester to London. However, the last train back to Manchester is scheduled for 9:01 PM, complicating travel plans for fans.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust expressed frustration, stating, “A train strike on cup final day will be a huge inconvenience to the tens of thousands of supporters traveling down from Manchester to London.” They called for government and union negotiations to prevent the strikes.
Kevin Parker, general secretary of the Official Manchester City Supporters Club, highlighted the financial impact on fans, noting increased costs for coach travel due to high demand. He remarked on the irony of the earlier 3 PM kick-off being overshadowed by the strike announcement.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan explained that drivers have not received a pay rise since 2019, stating, “The proposal – of just four percent – was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of 10 percent.”
The strike will affect several train operating companies, including Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, and London North Eastern Railway, among others. The May 12 strike will also coincide with the Eurovision final in Liverpool, creating further travel challenges.
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group expressed disappointment over the strikes, labeling them “senseless” and detrimental to an already struggling industry. They emphasized the need for negotiations to resolve the ongoing disputes.
