I haven't read a newspaper since being at the Euros in the summer, after reading some of the nonsense that was written about England fans at the time. However, it is so hard to know who to blame from a commuter point of view!
Having a view from the inside is always great to really get an understanding from another perspective. Unfortunately I can no longer work from home and my employers are becoming increasingly frustrated at my timekeeping.
What are your views on the current safety of passengers due to the conditions on the limited service on trains now? I understand passenger safety is paramount to all staff but surely more lives are being put at risk during strikes/overtime bans than at any other time due to the serious overcrowding?
I watched the urgent question in parliament yesterday that was presented on 5th December and it left me thinking that this is going to just keep going on for a while!
Haven't got long but just quickly - I don't think we can abdicate some degree of responsibility for current serious overcrowding and it is something that does weigh heavily but I would point out that we have only had 3 days of drivers' strikes so far, the goal is for an overall more safe railway, no "modernisation" plan should involve cutting down staff numbers, introducing less safe methods of working and reducing safety training. There are plenty of other reasons for the current debacle. And again, don't for a second think we don't think about commuters like you and your daily concerns but I don't see any other way at the moment. If I was striking and in dispute because I wanted more money or whatever I wouldn't expect an ounce of support but it is genuinely an attempt to keep the railway as safe as it possibly and realistically can be for you and your family.