All Northern Trains services have been canceled for the day

Northern Trains services in Yorkshire will not operate on Thursday due to strikes.

Train drivers from the Aslef union are on strike on May 9, resulting in the cancellation of all services in the North.

Services to and from both of Bradford’s mainline stations are among those affected, as well as services to Leeds, Doncaster and York.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said he wanted the government to “come to the table for meaningful discussions to negotiate a new pay deal”.

Pam, 66, uses the train every three weeks and finds they are “normally quite efficient”.

“I have an elderly mother and I come every three weeks to see her,” she said.

“She’s so bitterly disappointed if they don’t turn up – I feel bad if I let her down.”

Asked about the ongoing row between union bosses and the government, Pam said: “It’s all about communication and being fair.

“If people can’t accept being fair, they shouldn’t be in the business they’re in.”

Simon, 44, bought a season pass this week which cannot be refunded but can be used on CrossCountry services.

“It’s not the end of the world but I’m going to have to use a different train time and it’s pulling me in later than I normally would,” he said.

Simon said the government and unions “need to make a clear plan and stick to it”.

Stan, 21, commutes to the university every day and claims that “train drivers are not paid enough”.

He is resigned to the additional challenges he may face on his journey.

“It might cause a bit of disruption and put time into my commute, but ultimately it’s just something that happens.

“Sometimes I had to look for alternative transport options, and sometimes I just didn’t have to go in.

“I guess you just have to find a way around these things.”

Commenting on Aslef’s previous strike in January, Transport Secretary Mark Harper wrote on X: “The taxpayer protected the jobs of train drivers during the pandemic and Aslef is now paying those same taxpayers by disrupting their journeys.

“When some say let’s go back to the table, that means even more taxpayers’ money for Aslef when there is already an offer on the table.”