04.07.16
RMT claims Southern to cancel 350 trains a day with temporary timetable
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is introducing a new temporary timetable which the RMT union claims will include the cancellation of 350 trains a day.
RMT said it had seen figures about the new timetable, which has been approved by the DfT, and will be introduced on 11 July.
RMT has led three strikes on Southern services, owned by GTR, over a dispute about the introduction of driver-operated only (DOO) trains.
The disruptions to services, which Southern has attributed partly to an unusually high rate of conductors calling in sick, have led to Southern drawing with Southeastern for the lowest passenger approval ratings in the latest Transport Focus survey.
Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT, called for GTR to be removed from the franchise, saying: “The solution of this failing, basket-case franchise is not axing more trains and attacking those trying to hold it together at the sharp end – it is the removal of Govia at the earliest possible point.”
He added that Directly Operated Railways were “lined up and ready to go” to take over the franchise after it is returned to public ownership, and should run the route “under public control, in the public interest”.
A GTR spokesperson confirmed a new timetable will be introduced, but did not say if trains would be suspended.
“We will be confirming details of a temporary timetable later this week,” they said. “The timetable recognises that the present level of service has not been acceptable and will aim to give passengers a more predictable service they can plan around. This will be a temporary measure until train crew availability levels return to normal.”
Cash and Dyan Crowther, the chief operating officer of GTR, will both appear before the Transport Select Committee tomorrow morning to give evidence on the Southern disruptions. For a full report on the hearing, see RMT’s website.
(Image c. Dominic Lipinski from PA Wire)
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