Passengers travelling by public transport in the region are being advised to check their journeys due to industrial action taking place by National Express West Midlands and National Express Coventry bus drivers from Monday 20th March.

National Express bus will be operating an extremely limited service. They have confirmed a select number of routes that will still be operating on a reduced timetable. These can be found at nxbus.co.uk.

Other bus operators including Diamond, Arriva, Stagecoach, Landflight, and other operators will be operating as normal, including where they run the same route as National Express West Midlands, but are expected to be much busier.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is advising passengers who use these services to allow extra time for their journeys and consider travelling outside of peak times where possible. In many places National Express are the only provider of bus services so people are advised to check carefully and consider their options.

Customers with National Express tickets will be able to claim a refund for any pre-purchased tickets for strike days via their website. Other operators will not be accepting National Express bus tickets, therefore customers are advised to check the best ticket for their journey before traveling. Information on multi-operator tickets can be found at tfwm.org.uk.

Rail is expected to operate as normal this week, and Metro will look to increase capacity where they are able to do so. Local roads are also expected to be much busier than normal, so if travelling by car allow extra time and consider car sharing.

TfWM's Regional Transport Coordination Centre will be working to manage disruption where possible. Information is included on the TfWM dedicated webpage and passengers are advised to visit here and follow social media channels for the very latest travel information.

A TfWM spokesperson said: "Bus travel accounts for approximately 80% of journeys by public transport and the overwhelming majority of those journeys are with National Express West Midlands.

"Therefore, this strike will have a significant impact on our network and it is disappointing for the many people who travel around our region every day that industrial action continues to affect them."

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Issued by the WMCA Media Office: media@wmca.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

The list below shows the services that will be operating:

- All Stagecoach Services

- All Diamond Services

- All Landflight services

- All Arriva Services

- All other non-National Express services

Information about tickets

- National Express tickets will not be accepted on services provided by other operators. For maximum flexibility customers may wish to consider multi-operator or multi-modal products. More information is available at tfwm.org.uk.

- Customers who have purchased NXWM tickets for any days affected by strike action can apply for a refund on the National Express website.

About TfWM

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Led by the Mayor of the West Midlands, the WMCA brings together 18 local councils and three Local Enterprise Partnerships to oversee the transfer of powers and funding from Whitehall to the West Midlands.

The WMCA is putting these new powers from government back where they belong, in local hands, bringing the region together to build a healthier, happier, better connected and more prosperous West Midlands.

Billions of pounds are being invested by the WMCA to improve the region's transport network, transform its derelict industrial land into new homes and workplaces, support existing businesses and help grow the innovative, green industries of the future.

At the heart of this vision is a strong economy that is both green and inclusive, one that supports the region's ambition to be net zero carbon by 2041 and offers everyone the opportunity of a good quality, affordable home and the skills needed for a worthwhile job.

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