THOUSANDS of people faced 48 hours of travel misery today when Arriva Trains Northern conductors walked out on strike.

Arriva's services in and out of York ground to a virtual halt, with commuters cramming into the few services still running.

Travellers were met at York station by a picket of conductors, some of whom had been there since the strike officially began at 12.01am.

They said they hoped their demonstrations today and tomorrow would show their beleaguered bosses they meant business.

Conductors are striking in protest at pay rises given to drivers, which have not been offered to them.

It is estimated that more than 7,000 people use York station every day to visit or work in the city. The majority travel on Arriva trains.

GNER services on the East Coast Main Line were unaffected by the strike and were running as normal.

While very few Arriva trains were moving away from platforms, on the roads, AA Roadwatch reported delays on the A64 near the Fulford interchange, where long-term roadworks are already causing hold-ups.

But the delays were not as bad as had been feared.

Taxi firms were expected to have a busy day with commuters turning to them for help.

Arriva conductors claim drivers have been awarded 18 per cent, or £4,500, whereas conductors have been offered a vastly inferior deal.

One conductor, who declined to be named, said today: "We are determined to stick it out. We are solid and are immensely unhappy.

"Arriva has made its position very clear and we are very clear as well. We will not back down."

At Malton, the station was deserted both of trains and passengers.

And at York, empty Arriva trains were stacked up on many of the platforms.

But passengers who did turn up to wait for services today were giving the conductors their full support.

Twenty-year-old Richard Guilt said: "Some action has got to be taken. I think it is a tough job. The things they (conductors) must have to put up with, not just from passengers but from incidents that no one would want to deal with."

Richard McEwan, 20, of Bristol, added: "I support the strikes. I am disgusted with the rise for drivers. Conductors are asking for a reasonable pay rise and they are not getting it."

For Angela Stevenson, 20, of Bishop Auckland, her wait for an Arriva service early this morning looked like becoming a long one.

She said: "I have come to the station for a train and it is all a bit of a mystery.

"I have only just started using the services. It is not a great advert."

Ernie Preston, of the Rail Passengers' Committee, said: "Passengers have been inconvenienced, that's why they have stayed away.

"Even before hand, the service wasn't good. I am disappointed the two sides are not round the table today.

"This problem has to be sorted out. How it is doesn't matter."

Bob Crow, RMT assistant general secretary, said: "This action is 100 per cent supported by RMT members. We are not disputing anyone who gets pay rises in industry but we are being told that our members are not essential staff.

"This action shows they are absolutely essential for running trains. This picket shows the strength of feeling among conductors.

"We will be stepping into further negotiations next week. If the company does not come up with an offer, we will go out on strike again."

Updated: 10:51 Thursday, January 24, 2002