Strike Threat Over New EMR Trains As Disruption Continues

East Midlands Railway staff could take strike action over problems with the company’s new Aurora trains as disruption continues for Market Harborough passengers.

The RMT union has balloted members over concerns surrounding the Hitachi-built Class 810 Aurora fleet, which has experienced a series of technical problems since entering service late last year.

Reported faults include doors failing to open correctly, repeated failures of cab door locks, software issues affecting onboard toilets and leaking air conditioning.

The RMT union has balloted members over concerns surrounding the Hitachi-built Class 810 Aurora fleet – like this train pictured at Market Harborough railway station. Pic: Steve Jones

The trains are replacing the ageing High Speed Train fleet on the Midland Main Line, which frustrated passengers have dubbed the “Midland Misery Line”.

An RMT spokesperson said: “The union has secured an industrial action ballot involving the roll out and operation of the 810 fleet on East Midlands Railway. The issues regarding this dispute are separate to the Bedfordshire crash and the union is considering the result of the ballot.”

East Midlands Railway has previously acknowledged the ongoing problems with delays, cancellations and overcrowding, blaming delays to the delivery of new trains, technical faults affecting units already in service and a shortage of available rolling stock.

Some ageing High Speed Trains have already been withdrawn before enough Aurora trains have entered service, while faults affecting older rolling stock have also forced trains out of operation.

As a result, many services are being cancelled or running with fewer carriages, leading to overcrowding and, in some cases, passengers being unable to find seats.

Many services are running with fewer carriages, leading to overcrowding and, in some cases, passengers being unable to find seats. Pic: Roger French

The problems have prompted Harborough MP Neil O’Brien to write to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, expressing concern about the level of service being provided and calling for compensation for affected passengers. An annual season ticket between Market Harborough and London now costs more than £10,000.

Neil spoke to HFM:

Many services are running with fewer carriages, leading to overcrowding and, in some cases, passengers being unable to find seats. Pic: Roger French

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Delays from the manufacturer have affected the rollout of new trains on this route, creating unacceptable disruption for some passengers. We expect East Midlands Railway to do everything possible to minimise the impact while this is resolved.

“Under Great British Railways we’re bringing together track and train, running the network as one joined-up system to ensure these kinds of decisions are better planned across the network.”

East Midlands Railway has been approached for comment.