Passengers warned of travel disruption due to strikes on EMR services
RMT Union are striking in a dispute over what they say are dangerous faults on the company’s 810 fleet.
East Midlands Railway (EMR) services are facing disruption today due to planned strike action by RMT union members. With strikes scheduled for three Saturdays in August – 1st, 8th, and 15th August 2026.
Today's reduced timetable runs from 07:00 to 19:00 on EMR’s Intercity and Connect routes due to the strike, with customers are advised to travel only if essential.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union raised safety concerns regarding the Class 810 Aurora fleet, claiming faults that have compromised communication and security systems.
EMR has said ‘any suggestion that the fleet does not meet safety standards is incorrect’.
The union is demanding that these trains be removed from service until their safe operation is ensured.
John Watson from RMT Union says it is a “it's a safety, wellbeing, and dignity” issue.
He told Greatest Hits Radio: “There are some quite serious faults, including toilets that don't work. The trains are having to do what's called a toilet stop to allow people to use the toilet, which then has a detrimental impact on the travelling public, puts pressure on our members.
“For anybody with a disability and somebody who's a wheelchair user, they have to ask to use a toilet and we don't deem that to be acceptable.”
An East Midlands Railway spokesperson said, “Any suggestion that the Hitachi Rail Class 810 fleet does not meet the required safety standards is incorrect. These trains entered passenger service only after successfully completing all required testing and meeting the rigorous safety standards required by the independent regulator.
“We recognise the Class 810 fleet has encountered performance and reliability issues in service and are working with the manufacturer, Hitachi Rail, to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.”
Services affected today
These are the EMR services affected due to the strikes today (Saturday, 1st August).
EMR Intercity
• Services will operate between 07:00 and 19:00 only
• One train per hour between Nottingham and London St Pancras
• One train per hour between Sheffield and London St Pancras
EMR Connect
• Services will operate between 07:00 and 19:00 only.
• One train per hour between Corby and London St Pancras
EMR Regional
• Regional services are unaffected by the strike action and will operate as normal
Customers are advised to check their full journey before travelling.
More information can be found on East Midland Railway website