Southern Rail STRIKE details

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Tonight is a ****ing disgrace last 4 trains cancelled the latter of which we sat on for 30min before the non arrival of the assigned guard resulted in a cancellation the next one is already showing as delayed and not due for 20min

Sick and tired of the excuses I have to make at work and the time I am losing at home over this complete shambles

Personally I have lost what little sympathy I had with the whole organisation it is rotten from top to bottom

The contempt this organisation, its staff and the government show to people who rely on these services is disgraceful

Trouble is, while customers anger is solely directed at football or other messageboards, that anger is essentially meaningless. Albion fans have a proud tradition of peaceful direct action. Surely somebody's got an idea that would grab national/international headlines and put these people fairly and squarely in the frame, seeing as how the regulators, MPs and ministers paid to look after our interests seem unable or unwilling to do so.

 

[Easy 10]

West Coastway looks to be utterly ***ed again tonight.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, via Haywards Heath we go...

Going east doesn't look too great either...

[tweet]740935646815129600[/tweet]

 

[Ernest]

Trouble is, while customers anger is solely directed at football or other messageboards, that anger is essentially meaningless. Albion fans have a proud tradition of peaceful direct action. Surely somebody's got an idea that would grab national/international headlines and put these people fairly and squarely in the frame, seeing as how the regulators, MPs and ministers paid to look after our interests seem unable or unwilling to do so.

Exactly, a Facebook rant or a Twitter explosion means nothing, although at meet the manager yesterday he had to have police protection which says it all

 

[Beach Hut]

Fecking 17:18 Vic to Littlehampton cancelled due to staff shortages grr

 

[Carrot Cruncher]

Fack me, the train I need to catch is actually running. Best get me a lottery ticket on the way to the station as it's clearly my lucky day...

 

[Ernest]

Fack me, the train I need to catch is actually running. Best get me a lottery ticket on the way to the station as it's clearly my lucky day...

It hasn't got where you're going yet so hold off the lottery for now

 

[Carrot Cruncher]

It hasn't got where you're going yet so hold off the lottery for now

Good point! I have 2 benchmarks, Cosham and Fareham. Once it's past there, it won't be diverted to Pompey or terminated early.

Interestingly, the 1813 to Victoria is showing as on time despite it being cancelled the whole way on the inward journey.

 

[pasty]

Trouble is, while customers anger is solely directed at football or other messageboards, that anger is essentially meaningless. Albion fans have a proud tradition of peaceful direct action. Surely somebody's got an idea that would grab national/international headlines and put these people fairly and squarely in the frame, seeing as how the regulators, MPs and ministers paid to look after our interests seem unable or unwilling to do so.

Exactly, a Facebook rant or a Twitter explosion means nothing, although at meet the manager yesterday he had to have police protection which says it all

The big problem is that commuters have no alternative but to use the "service" provided. No matter how shit, no matter how many trains get cancelled, no matter how long the delays, we still have to get to work and back. I would love it if there was some kind of direct action we could take, but there doesn't seem an awful lot we can do about it. Especially when Southern have already got my 5 and half grand for this years season ticket.

 

[yxee]

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “A Petition for Southern Rail (Govia Thameslink Railway) Franchise Review.”.

Govia Thameslink Railway are delivering plans to reverse decades of under-investment on the rail network. A further review into GTR will not address the challenges that their plans intend to overcome.

The challenges of this part of the network are not new. The industry and Government are addressing the longstanding, historic problems, including driver shortages, rolling stock and network capacity. By 2018 we expect to return the network to the performance that all passengers deserve, and we will do it with increased capacity, renewed facilities and robust, durable infrastructure.

This part of the network is extremely complex; indeed it is one of the busiest in Europe. Punctuality on this part of the network has always proven challenging due to the complexity of the infrastructure and the volume of services that operate on it. However, we know that passengers are very frustrated about performance and the service they receive.

The Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise incorporates an unprecedented level of investment in the network. The introduction of new trains, new infrastructure and new ways of working is intended to reverse decades of under-investment on this part of the network and provide passengers with more capacity on more reliable services. Given the recent growth in passenger demand, maintaining the status quo is not an option. But the transformation cannot occur overnight. It will take time and close management across the industry to ensure improvements are delivered to passengers.

Using the contractual mechanisms available, the Secretary of State served a Remedial Plan notice to GTR last year. In response, GTR have developed a Remedial Plan in response which includes obligations for GTR to recruit and train sufficient drivers to operate current and future timetables, improve reliability of rolling stock and provide better customer information. Passengers are still likely to see disruption occurring in the short term as these plans take time to implement, however taking the franchise away from GTR will not help resolve the issues. This would only create a period of uncertainty for passengers and staff alike. While there are plans in place that are addressing the situation, it is right to allow the current operator the time to address and work through the issues.

The Franchise Agreement sets out the steps the Secretary of State must take should GTR not meet its contractual performance benchmarks. There are further actions available to the Secretary of State should GTR not meet their obligations and be in breach of its Franchise Agreement. At that point the Department will follow its published enforcement process.

Whilst we understand the frustration felt by passengers affected by disruption, we would like to assure you that the Department for Transport is determined to see further improvements and for GTR to provide the service that passengers expect.

Department for Transport

Great.

 

[albionite]

http://www.carolinelucas.com/latest/failure-on-the-trains-i-meet-the-rail-bosses

 

[hitony]

The big problem is that commuters have no alternative but to use the "service" provided. No matter how shit, no matter how many trains get cancelled, no matter how long the delays, we still have to get to work and back. I would love it if there was some kind of direct action we could take, but there doesn't seem an awful lot we can do about it. Especially when Southern have already got my 5 and half grand for this years season ticket.

I am so SO out of touch with train prices!! .........

 

[Ernest]

Out of the extra 9000 cancellations they were granted they have used up 4700 in the last 6 weeks, I expect when they hit the magic 9k they will then be granted another figure and so on

 

[dazzer6666]

The big problem is that commuters have no alternative but to use the "service" provided. No matter how shit, no matter how many trains get cancelled, no matter how long the delays, we still have to get to work and back. I would love it if there was some kind of direct action we could take, but there doesn't seem an awful lot we can do about it. Especially when Southern have already got my 5 and half grand for this years season ticket.

This in bucketloads

Was wondering tonight if the staff have had a talking to. The conductor on the 18.23 from the Bridge was very communicative, apologising for the en-route delay ('congestion') and the aircon not working in 2 coaches ('but I've done all I can to increase ventilation'). Oh, and of course on multiple occasions thanking us for travelling with Southern......

 

[dazzer6666]

I am so SO out of touch with train prices!! .........

I've only been into the office two days this week - £49 per day from Burgess Hill with underground included.

 

[The Albion Roar]

http://www.carolinelucas.com/latest/failure-on-the-trains-i-meet-the-rail-bosses

Yesterday, I met Govia bosses about the dire state of our rail services. Constituents have been sending me their stories which I put to those in charge – the common theme, again and again, of a service for which people are paying through the nose, which is getting in the way of people’s lives: putting their jobs at risk, robbing people of time with their families and leaving people at their wits’ end.

I was left with no confidence that Govia have things under control. For example, I am waiting for the company to tell me whether the ‘remedial plan’ which lets them cancel 1000’s more trains is itself already in need of remediation. They admitted it looks likely that they might have exceeded even the new cancellation threshold gifted to them by the Government.

On the industrial relations problems the company are having, in answer to several questions, for example about safety, the repeated response was ‘we want to talk to the unions about that’. Now that talks are happening with the unions via ACAS, I am hoping that this means an end to what has previously appeared a bullish approach, which is clearly not working for anyone.

It was remarkably difficult to get a straight answer on exactly how bad things would have to get before Ministers would act to remove the franchise and put it in public hands. Year old promises of ‘six months to stability’ made by the rail minister after the general election leave a bitter taste and passengers have had enough.

I asked some questions about the failed modelling analysis on punctuality and reliability of the combined impact of the infrastructure restrictions at London Bridge, the diversion of Thameslink services and the increased use of London Victoria as a terminus. I will be following this up with Ministers.

The appalling problems for rail passengers on the Brighton Mainline provide a classic example of how complicated relationships in our privatised train industry are. Passengers are at the mercy of contracts that are not subject to democratic oversight. Ministers shift the goalposts to let Govia off defaulting, and all MPs and passengers have to go on is censored information, released three months late. Commercial confidentiality is in the way of transparency and accountability.

The current management contract for this franchise isn't even reaping the supposed benefits of bringing in the private sector, since from what we’re allowed to see of it, it's a special ‘reduced risk’ contract. Revenue goes to straight to the DfT and Govia get a fee for running the lines. This is in recognition of the complexity of the infrastructure changes needed. However, with the franchise in public hands we could at least fully see what's going on. I am tired of hearing about ‘commercial confidentiality’.

One glimmer of light from yesterday’s meeting was confirmation from Govia that there would be auto-compensation available for holders of a Key card from 2017. So I would encourage all season ticket holders to apply for their free Key card to make sure that they can benefit when this measure eventually arrives. I will keep pushing for this to happen as soon as possible.

As for next steps, it is clear the Secretary of State needs to act now to remove the complexity, open things up to scrutiny and give passengers the service they deserve. Recent examples, like the successful public rescue of the failing private East Coast franchise, show how a modern public railway can work to turn things around. It is with the Secretary of State that the buck now stops and I will be making that case to him.

I will keep do all I can on this issue and will keep constituent updated. I have put a number of parliamentary questions to the Secretary of State, including on when they are going to bring in their manifesto commitment for compensation for 15 minute delays and when we will get part-time ticketing. It is high time for the Government to act. Please keep letting me know of your experiences from the front line – these are essential in making the case.

 

[The Albion Roar]

http://www.carolinelucas.com/latest/failure-on-the-trains-i-meet-the-rail-bosses

Ooops, sorry. Missed this post.

 

[albionite]

This in bucketloads

Was wondering tonight if the staff have had a talking to. The conductor on the 18.23 from the Bridge was very communicative, apologising for the en-route delay ('congestion') and the aircon not working in 2 coaches ('but I've done all I can to increase ventilation'). Oh, and of course on multiple occasions thanking us for travelling with Southern......

A talking to, very funny, if only they knew how.

They don't have a clue on how to handle this mess apart from blame the staff.

 

[dazzer6666]

A talking to, very funny, if only they knew how.

They don't have a clue on how to handle this mess apart from blame the staff.

They are not goi

Must have had the one that doesn't get the memos from Enrest

 

[Badger]

One glimmer of light from yesterday’s meeting was confirmation from Govia that there would be auto-compensation available for holders of a Key card from 2017. So I would encourage all season ticket holders to apply for their free Key card to make sure that they can benefit when this measure eventually arrives. I will keep pushing for this to happen as soon as possible.

How is that going to work? The system isn't going to know which train you were trying to catch, so I don't see how it can automatically dish out compensation.

 

[Mr Bronson]

It appears that that the Rt Hon Fatty Soames was at the same meeting. Here is his missive:

At a meeting today with the Chairman and Executives of Govia Thameslink Railway [GTR], Sir Nicholas Soames and many other colleagues who have constituents using the Brighton Mainline and East Grinstead line made the strongest possible representations to the Chairman and Chief Executive and others about the deplorable service.

Sir Nicholas said; “Until this industrial action is resolved there is no chance of the service returning to the moderate levels it was before and all of us emphasized to the Company the urgent need to win the argument and sort out the problems.

“I attach a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport which sets out very clearly the Government’s view on the situation and brings some perspective to the situation.”

“It is intended that there will be a meeting with Ministers and Members of Parliament in the near future and arrangements are being made in the next few days.”

Letter: http://www.nicholassoames.org.uk/si...ghlin_Southern_Thameslink_Services_Update.pdf