Conductors and station today staff staged the 13th strike since January over pay and conditions.
Stan Herschel, a spokesman for the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, apologised to the travelling public, but added: "Arriva trains has created this situation. They have refused to sit down and talk to us seriously.
"Out of 700 staff, only 15 turned up for work, which is unbelievable after a dispute lasting five months. It shows just how determined our members are to achieve a fair and just settlement."
The company says it is "disappointed and frustrated" that its customers are continuing to be hit by industrial action.
The services that were running were largely manned by Arriva management.
The company said: "Many of our managers were once conductors so it is not a problem for them."
It refused to discuss the safety implications of its move.
The dispute began last year when Arriva boosted train driver pay by 18% to help recruit drivers from other companies. Arriva drivers also received improved conditions, better leave arrangements, a £400 Christmas bonus and backdated pension enhancements.
In response, the RMT demanded big pay rises for all grades of staff and a return to national pay bargaining. Arriva has offered an increase of 4% which it described as "fair and reasonable" in the current economic climate.
Arriva said: "If there is no resolution, we are faced with a continuation of strike action until the current franchise agreement ends in February."
Mr Herschel said: "If Arriva wants the dispute to run until next year then that's what they will get.
"This is a company that rakes in millions in subsidies, gets fined for failing to run trains and pays its boss more than half a million pounds for doing such a wonderful job.
"Our message to Arriva Trains Northern is clear: stop playing the bully-boy and settle this dispute round the table."
