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Southern and RMT to hold talks to end conductors' strike Southern and RMT to hold talks to end conductors' strike
(about 2 hours later)
Talks to prevent a further strike by Southern rail conductors are to be held on Friday.Talks to prevent a further strike by Southern rail conductors are to be held on Friday.
A 24-hour walkout by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, in protest at the introduction of driver-only trains, is due to end at 11:00 BST on Wednesday. A 24-hour walkout by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, in protest at the introduction of driver-only trains, ended at 11:00 BST on Wednesday.
Southern warned passengers to expect "difficult and frustrating" journeys throughout the day.Southern warned passengers to expect "difficult and frustrating" journeys throughout the day.
Two further strikes have been announced for 10 May and 12 May.Two further strikes have been announced for 10 May and 12 May.
Latest updates hereLatest updates here
The RMT confirmed it would attend talks with Southern "over the guards jobs and safety dispute" on Friday.The RMT confirmed it would attend talks with Southern "over the guards jobs and safety dispute" on Friday.
Dyan Crowther, chief operating officer for Southern owner Govia Thameslink Railway, told BBC Sussex: "We are very pleased to hear that and we look forward to meeting the RMT".Dyan Crowther, chief operating officer for Southern owner Govia Thameslink Railway, told BBC Sussex: "We are very pleased to hear that and we look forward to meeting the RMT".
Southern said some routes were again suspended or reduced with 700 fewer services but most trains on the Brighton mainline would run as normal. Southern said some routes were again suspended or reduced with 700 fewer services across Sussex and east Surrey.
Ms Crowther said the timetable would not return to normal until Thursday as they needed to get rolling stock and staff into the right position.
Southern rail strike: Affected routesSouthern rail strike: Affected routes
Paul Barker, a commuter from Rye, normally catches a Southern train to Ashford then a high-speed service to St Pancras.
He said he worked from home on Tuesday but went to Robertsbridge on Wednesday to catch a Southeastern service to London.
He said: "It was standing room only from Frant, but you cannot take two days off work".
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "This dispute is about safety. The company, with an eye on ever-fatter profits, is prepared to axe the guards on some of the most overcrowded and potentially-dangerous services."RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "This dispute is about safety. The company, with an eye on ever-fatter profits, is prepared to axe the guards on some of the most overcrowded and potentially-dangerous services."
The company said its planned changes would make conductors more visible while drivers would operate doors. The company said there would be no job or pay cuts but the planned changes would make conductors more visible while drivers would operate doors.
It accused the RMT of "scaremongering" and said "driver-only operation is a safe, proven way of working" which had been used "on 40% of trains across the Southern network for 25 years. It accused the RMT of "scaremongering" and said "driver-only operation is a safe, proven way of working" which had been used "on 40% of trains across the Southern network for 25 years".