The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union remains in dispute with East Midlands Railway (EMR) over safety issues involving the Aurora Class 810 trains. Union members are concerned that faults in the new fleet compromise operational safety.
Details of Strike Dates and Durations
RMT members will conduct a 48-hour strike spanning from 00:01 BST on 30 August until 23:59 BST on 31 August, covering the bank holiday weekend. A further 24-hour strike is scheduled from 00:01 BST on 16 September until 11:59 BST on 17 September. These strikes come after three previous Saturday strike days in August.
Specific Faults and Union Demands
The Aurora fleet has exhibited various faults including malfunctioning
toilets, broken air conditioning units, communication system breakdowns, door issues, and instances of trains being stranded on tracks. Prior to the August strikes, 16 trains required a full auxiliary reset, causing temporary loss of active safety systems and communication links. The RMT insists that Class 810 trains should be removed from service until these issues are resolved and trains operate reliably.
Statements from EMR and the RMT Union
EMR has held six meetings with union representatives, describing the discussions as constructive, and is working alongside Hitachi Rail to address the train problems. EMR states no safety-critical faults have been identified that prevent compliance with regulatory passenger service
standards. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said, “RMT is demanding that whilst these faults exist and until these trains are shown to be operating properly, they should be taken out of service.” He also urged EMR management to take action on safety concerns. EMR Customer Experience Director Philippa Cresswell acknowledged the disruption caused by strike action during the August bank holiday and emphasized the ongoing planning to manage affected services.
Impact on Travelers and Service Operations
Travelers using EMR services across the East Midlands network should anticipate disruptions and delays on strike days. EMR Regional services will continue operating unaffected by the strike action. EMR is
developing detailed plans to determine which services will run during the industrial action periods.
Background on Aurora Trains and Reliability Issues
The Aurora (Class 810) trains entered passenger service in December 2025. Since their introduction, the fleet has experienced reliability difficulties leading to reduced EMR services in July. Hitachi Rail has increased efforts on modifications and testing of the new trains in partnership with EMR and other stakeholders. EMR has announced intentions to restore some previously canceled Intercity services from late August.
