Southern Rail STRIKE details

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I'm hoping that one of you long suffering commuters can offer some advice.....

When they cancel one of the early trains, is it generally announced the night before or is it literally sprung on you first thing?

We need to catch a train at around 06:15 on Saturday morning and have tight connections all the way to, ultimately, Marseille. I'm starting to think we might be better off staying in London on Friday night.

There are now a number of services which have been pre-cancelled for our convenience. Look at the Delays/cancellations section of the live service updates part of the main Southern website for info. Also check for overnight engineering works as if they overrun they you could be stuffed.

I wouldn't trust any tight connection at the moment. You might be better of finding a cheap Travelodge / Premier Inn somewhere in South London and then just having a short commute in the morning - preferably on SWT rather than SASTA.

 

[pasty]

Can somebody ITK like [MENTION=1416]Ernest[/MENTION] answer this. Can the new GE trains stop at DOO stations like Hassocks without a guard? Is that part of the issue now?

Only asking because since the "unprecedented levels of sickness" line being peddled by #SASTA, the old GE rolling stock has made a couple of sudden re-appearances so they can't stop at DOO stations if no guard. Just wondering if this is another dirty tactic form Southern to try and apportion "blame" elsewhere?

 

[albionite]

Can somebody ITK like [MENTION=1416]Ernest[/MENTION] answer this. Can the new GE trains stop at DOO stations like Hassocks without a guard? Is that part of the issue now?

Only asking because since the "unprecedented levels of sickness" line being peddled by #SASTA, the old GE rolling stock has made a couple of sudden re-appearances so they can't stop at DOO stations if no guard. Just wondering if this is another dirty tactic form Southern to try and apportion "blame" elsewhere?

Sorry misread , as far as I know for now the new ge trains can stop at these stations along the main line without a guard. They are doing so at moment when thameslink use their stock

 

[Beach Hut]

Can somebody ITK like [MENTION=1416]Ernest[/MENTION] answer this. Can the new GE trains stop at DOO stations like Hassocks without a guard? Is that part of the issue now?

Only asking because since the "unprecedented levels of sickness" line being peddled by #SASTA, the old GE rolling stock has made a couple of sudden re-appearances so they can't stop at DOO stations if no guard. Just wondering if this is another dirty tactic form Southern to try and apportion "blame" elsewhere?

You have to wait possibly a long time for an ITK response from the ARS leader

 

[Lower West Stander]

Good stuff at Horsham tonight.

Because of shortage of train crew, the train is running fast to Barnham. Dont understand this is if there is crew to get to Barnham, surely the train can stop along the Arun Valley?

This train company is truly unreal....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Can somebody ITK like [MENTION=1416]Ernest[/MENTION] answer this.

Unlikely as he's banned...

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Time for a 'Show Southern The Red Card' campaign?

 

[pasty]

Unlikely as he's banned...

Oh. Oops.

 

[Mr Bronson]

The Thameslink from Haywards Heath at 6.42 was four instead of eight carridges...except the one that wasn't working making it only three. Thanks for that.

The other thing to throw into this mess is that when we all fall into line behind Boris and Farrage in a few weeks time the government will be spending the next ten years extricating us from the EU. On the list of priorities a train service that is any better than now will about number 56 on the to do list.

 

[The Albion Roar]

The Thameslink from Haywards Heath at 6.42 was four instead of eight carridges...except the one that wasn't working making it only three. Thanks for that.

The other thing to throw into this mess is that when we all fall into line behind Boris and Farrage in a few weeks time the government will be spending the next ten years extricating us from the EU. On the list of priorities a train service that is any better than now will about number 56 on the to do list.

That high?

 

[Springal]

The govt response to that petition is shit. Basically sticking up for Southern and saying it will all be sorted by 2018.

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

 

[albionite]

The govt response to that petition is shit. Basically sticking up for Southern and saying it will all be sorted by 2018.

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

It's why gtr are so gun Ho, they know the government have their back and they can do what they like, with the tax payer paying the cost.

 

[ROSM]

It's why gtr are so gun Ho, they know the government have their back and they can do what they like, with the tax payer paying the cost.

They are in a no risk contract. They get a set amount and pass revenue back to the government. Their only hope of increasing profits is to run the service at a lower cost. Increasing Users etc is not a factor for them.

The question is whether the cost reductions reduce the service quality, reliability or safety.

I'm of the opinion that it does

 

[Hotchilidog]

7.12 GE from brighton today, delayed getting the train out of the depot, whilst the 7.29 had been sitting on platform 6 since 7.05. As result missed my connection at Gatwick by two minutes and am over 30minutes late for work.

I too recieved the letter in response to the petition. What a load of bullsh*t.

 

[HH Brighton]

The govt response to that petition is shit. Basically sticking up for Southern and saying it will all be sorted by 2018.

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

Like I said in an earlier post there is no interest in the government doing anything about this which is why there is no action from any Tory MP. Only hope the Labour and Green MP's who can try keep pressure up. I'm looking to not travel to London anymore as its ruining my home like, I've added an extra hour a day travel time to make sure I get to work on time and to allow for cancellations on the way home.

 

[beorhthelm]

Like I said in an earlier post there is no interest in the government doing anything about this which is why there is no action from any Tory MP.

despite a number of them tweeting and in the press about it. if we put pressure on the MP they will pass it up the chain. notable thing about the response is that it seems to assume the problems are relating to drivers, and issue from last year. so they overlook there is a new issue, that needs re-investigation.

 

[The Albion Roar]

despite a number of them tweeting and in the press about it. if we put pressure on the MP they will pass it up the chain. notable thing about the response is that it seems to assume the problems are relating to drivers, and issue from last year. so they overlook there is a new issue, that needs re-investigation.

They're tweeting about the problem; they're pissed off with Southern, but what Soames and Herbert are not against (according to my friend who works for the latter) is for a return of the franchise to the state. They still believe in the privatisation ethos. In this instance, it has clearly failed - and is contiuing to do so. What they're saying is for Claire Perry to 'do something about it'.

And she has done so in that government response, which has clearly laid out its intentions for the next two years - in short 'tough, put up with it...'

 

[The Albion Roar]

https://twitter.com/CarolineLucas/status/740465342212931585

I have no doubt she will be late.

 

[Easy 10]

You have to wait possibly a long time for an ITK response from the ARS leader

Unlikely as he's banned...

Must've missed this. Whats ENREST done now then ? There's nothing in the moderating decisions forum.

 

[beorhthelm]

They're tweeting about the problem; they're pissed off with Southern, but what Soames and Herbert are not against (according to my friend who works for the latter) is for a return of the franchise to the state. They still believe in the privatisation ethos. In this instance, it has clearly failed - and is contiuing to do so.

maybe we could all just move on from the ownership structure and focus on the problems that is the current service. this can be addressed without nationalisation. the letter states that they are already implementing a Remedial Plan for fail to meet targets, thats following problems last year, it explicitly refers to drivers and rolling stock issues. there are now a new set of problems and causes that need to be highlighted.