RAIL commuters again faced major disruption today as services operated by Arriva Trains Northern were hit hard by conductors and station staff striking over pay.

The company said it had "managed to exceed expectations" in the number of services it was expecting to be able to run.

But the popular York to Leeds service was still reduced to a half-hourly run.

In all, Arriva expected to run 700 trains and 500 buses today and tomorrow.

The company would normally run more than 1,300 services in the same period.

A token picket turned out at York Station to mark the conductors' third strike.

They were joined by striking station and clerical staff, also unhappy with their pay offer.

At an eve-of-strike rally yesterday, RMT general secretary Bob Crow warned the rail operator: "It's time for Arriva Trains Northern to get real.

"Arriva has already discovered that getting petty and banning rest days was a seriously bad move.

"RMT members will not bow to bullying or intimidation. We have a justified claim and will pursue it until we get a settlement."

Meanwhile, the Evening Press can reveal that Arriva bosses, trying to tempt conductors to cross the picket line, have offered the return of rest day working.

Last month, managing director Ray Price withdrew - with immediate effect - the practice of allowing conductors to take shifts at overtime rates when colleagues were absent.

Now striking conductors have been told in a letter that if they return to work they can be "considered for rest day working as and when they are available".

The turnaround was branded "idiotic" by Stan Herschel, regional organiser with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).

Union bosses have now imposed their own overtime ban.

"The only thing consistent about Arriva is inconsistency," Mr Herschel said.

"This episode is a serious mistake. This letter lets our members know the kind of management they are dealing with."

An Arriva spokesman said: "We have got enough conductors to not need rest days. When conductors work rest days they are missing extra training and briefings."

Updated: 10:55 Friday, March 01, 2002