THE Department for Transport (DfT) has issued a strongly worded response after claims by the RMT union that taxpayers were paying for the cost of its strike action on Northern rail.

The union said a clause in the company’s franchise agreement meant Secretary of State Chris Grayling could reimburse Northern Rail for net losses arising from industrial action.

DfT officials said it was a standard clause contained in all franchise agreements and pointed out no compensation payments had made to a train operator this way since 2006.

A spokeswoman said: “The only people hitting taxpayers in this pointless and unnecessary strike action is the RMT.”

Passengers on Northern are facing more disruption this week with a three day strike by RMT members continuing on Thursday and Saturday.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said it was standing up for safe and accessible rail travel for all, Northern having failed to guarantee the future role of the guard.

The dispute between the two parties – caused by the expected introduction of driver only trains – has now rumbled on for more than a year and there are signs that travellers’ patience is beginning to wear thin.

Stockton-based rail campaigner Brian Milnes said passengers using Northern’s Durham coastline service, which connects Middlesbrough and Newcastle, were more or less facing two hour waits for trains during yesterday’s strike action, halving the frequency during previous walkouts.

He said: “That is really bad especially for bigger towns such as Stockton, Billingham and Seaham.”

There were also reports of passengers being stranded at Hartlepool railway station after a service was unexpectedly cancelled.

Mr Cash said RMT members had shown “extraordinary resilience and determination in the fight for rail safety” and he thanked the public for their continued support and understanding.

But the DfT said it was misleading to say the dispute was about jobs or safety.

The spokeswoman said: “Guards have been guaranteed their jobs and the independent rail regulator has ruled that driver-controlled trains, which have been used in this country for thirty years, are safe.

“We urge the union to abandon these strikes, work with the train operator and make passengers’ services their number one priority.”

Northern is facing more woe with senior executives due to be grilled by members of the House of Commons transport select committee.

MPs have begun taking evidence over the timetable chaos that has enveloped several firms, including Northern,