Explainer

Rail strikes: How can I get to Wales v New Zealand if the trains aren’t running?

Transport for Wales train and Wales rugby fans
Transport for Wales says coaches will be put on for rugby fans heading home from Cardiff because of rail strikes. Credit: TfW & PA Images.

Rugby fans leaving Cardiff after Wales' game against the All Blacks are being warned of disruption due to industrial action.

Workers are striking on the day of the Autumn Internationals where Wales face New Zealand at the Principality Stadium.

Transport for Wales has warned some trains will run on the Valley and Newport lines before the game but not after.

Around 35,000 people normally travel to Cardiff via train on match days.

  • Who is striking?

The rail union RMT said it its workers will be taking strike action on 14 train operating companies after a "no new offer on pay jobs and working conditions:.

Strike action will coincide with RMT members on Network Rail, London Underground and Overground who are also walking out. Despite repeated negotiations, it said the Rail Delivery Group has "failed to offer RMT members any offer on pay, jobs and conditions."

Transport for Wales (TfW), which runs the rail network in Wales said is not involved in either dispute, but its services will be affected as it relies on Network Rail staff to run trains on much of the network. 

  • How will services be disrupted?

Due to the strike action, the RMT said inbound capacity by rail in the hours leading up to kick-off will be heavily reduced - two thirds lower than usual.

More severe disruption is expected after the match where there will be no trains scheduled from Cardiff, with the final service leaving Central Station at 5pm.

  • When is kick off?

Kick off is at 3.15pm, but fans are being asked to arrive in plenty of time.

  • What is the best to travel to and from the game?

Special coaches are being put on to make sure supporters can get home from the game.

The coaches will operate at 6pm and 6.30pm. They will depart from the Civic Centre (Cardiff King Edward VII Avenue) in the city centre, near the Principality Stadium.

Tickets must be booked in advance and rail tickets won't be accepted, according to Transport for Wales.

Cardiff Council said it expects the M4 motorway to be extremely busy.

It is asking people to use park & ride facilities at Cardiff City Stadium in Leckwith, or County Hall in Cardiff Bay.

Road Closures

  • Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street

  • Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street

  • Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment)

  • Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted)

  • The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road

Welsh fans are being urged to arrive at the Principality Stadium early. Credit: PA Images.

Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, Chief Operations Officer at Transport for Wales, said: “Industrial Action will severely impact rail services over the weekend, so please do not travel by rail to the game.

"TfW is not involved in the dispute but we are unable to operate our services.

"However, we have worked closely with our partners in Cardiff Council and the WRU and are pleased to be able to offer extra coach services that will help people move in and out of Cardiff.”