Train services from Dorchester will be affected by further strike action being taken by the ASLEFF union on Friday, September 1 and RMT on Saturday, September 2.

Train services from Dorchester South and Dorchester West stations are not expected to run on strike days.

South Western Railway - Dorchester South

South Western Railway (SWR) is reminding customers that it will not operate trains beyond Basingstoke on Friday, September 1 due to the ASLEF union strike action.   

This will be the first day of ASLEF union strike action that affects SWR's main line drivers. Previous ASLEF union strike dates were limited to depot drivers, who bring trains in and out of service. 

With far fewer main line drivers available, SWR will operate a much different timetable to previous strike days. 

During previous strike action, SWR served stations to Southampton Central and Salisbury, however on Friday, September 1 there will be no services to or from either destination.

An extremely limited service will operate on a small number of lines across the rest of the SWR network, with trains only running between 7am and 7pm.

The majority of the SWR network will be closed, including services from Dorchester.

Customers are advised that there will be far fewer services than previous strike days and should only travel if absolutely necessary. 

An RMT union strike then takes place on Saturday, September 2. Whilst more of the network will be open than on Friday, with services between London Waterloo and Southampton Central, overall there will be a significantly reduced service and trains will only run between 7am and 7pm.

Customers are again advised to only travel if absolutely necessary. Journey planners for both days are now available on the ~South Western Railway website southwesternrailway.com

Great Western Railway - Dorchester West

A different reduced, revised timetable will operate on each of the strike days across several train operators, including Great Western Railway (GWR).

Many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all, including Dorchester. Services will only operate for a limited period, starting later in the morning and finishing much earlier in the evening. 

Those travelling to/from Cardiff on Saturday, September 2 for the Speedway Grand Prix should note that there will be no GWR return services on Saturday evening and customers should seek alternative means of travelling.

Those travelling to Cardiff for the Cardiff 10km on Sunday, September 3 should check journey times before setting out, especially if travelling from further afield.

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: 

• Tickets for Friday, September 1 can be used the day before or up to and including Tuesday, September 5
• Tickets for Saturday, September 2 can be used on Thursday, August 31 or up to and including Tuesday, September 5

Season-ticket holders can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme. Our 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, visit www.gwr.com/strike