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Five-day strike starts on Southern rail Five-day strike starts on Southern rail
(35 minutes later)
A week of extreme disruption for hundreds of thousands of Southern commuters has started with a five-day strike cutting 40% of services on one of Britain’s busiest rail franchises. A week of extreme disruption for hundreds of thousands of Southern commuters has started with a five-day strike, cutting 40% of services on one of Britain’s busiest rail franchises.
The RMT union said strike action was “rock solid”, with some commuters experiencing extreme crowding on the trains that were running, although some services and stations were quieter, suggesting many people had not even attempted to travel into London on Monday. The RMT union said strike action was “rock solid”, with some commuters experiencing extreme crowding on trains that were running, although certain services and stations were quieter, suggesting that many people had not attempted to travel into London on Monday.
The strike will run until Friday night, in an escalating dispute over the role of conductors. Talks aimed at resolving the row collapsed at Acas last Friday in mutual recrimination. The strike will run until Friday night in an escalating dispute over the role of conductors. Talks aimed at resolving the row collapsed at Acas last Friday in mutual recrimination.
Related: Southern trains crisis: seven factors that threw services off the railsRelated: Southern trains crisis: seven factors that threw services off the rails
An emergency timetable is in place, with Southern saying it will run 60% of normal services this week, rather than the 85% it has been running since last month in an attempt to provide a more accurate timetable. Some areas in Sussex will have no trains at all.An emergency timetable is in place, with Southern saying it will run 60% of normal services this week, rather than the 85% it has been running since last month in an attempt to provide a more accurate timetable. Some areas in Sussex will have no trains at all.
RMT members formed picket lines at rail depots and at London Victoria and Brighton. RMT members formed picket lines at rail depots, and at London Victoria and Brighton stations.
The union’s general secretary, Mick Cash, said he shared the frustration of passengers, but said: “I can report that the strike action this morning is rock solid across the Southern rail network as we fight to put rail safety before the profits of the failed [Southern owner] Govia Thameslink operation. The union’s general secretary, Mick Cash, said he shared the frustration of passengers, but added: “I can report that the strike action this morning is rock solid across the Southern rail network as we fight to put rail safety before the profits of the failed [Southern owner] Govia Thameslink operation.
“This action has been forced on us by the arrogance and inaction of Govia Thameslink and the government, who have made it clear that they have no interest in resolving this dispute or in tackling the daily chaos on Southern.“This action has been forced on us by the arrogance and inaction of Govia Thameslink and the government, who have made it clear that they have no interest in resolving this dispute or in tackling the daily chaos on Southern.
“Our fight is with the company and the government who have dragged this franchise into total meltdown.” “Our fight is with the company and the government, who have dragged this franchise into total meltdown.”
Govia Thameslink said it had offered new assurances on jobs to the union, although it is pressing ahead with plans to change the role of conductors this month. The chief executive, Charles Horton, said the strike was “completely unacceptable, unjustified and unnecessary”. Govia Thameslink said it had offered new assurances on jobs to the union, although the company is pressing ahead with plans to change the role of conductors this month. The GTR chief executive, Charles Horton, said the strike was “completely unacceptable, unjustified and unnecessary”.
In a message to passengers, he said: “We want to run new and modern trains to provide more space and capacity and we want to make essential changes to how we operate, including giving our drivers responsibility for closing train doors so that onboard staff can focus on helping you during your journey.” “We want to run new and modern trains to provide more space and capacity, and we want to make essential changes to how we operate, including giving our drivers responsibility for closing train doors so that onboard staff can focus on helping you during your journey,” he said in a message to passengers.
The BBC reported that Brighton station was quieter than usual in the morning rush hour, even for school holidays, suggesting many had altered their travel plans or worked from home. The prime minister, Theresa May, sharply criticised RMT leaders. “The prime minister strongly condemns the strike action: it is only going to cause more disruption and misery for passengers. We are disappointed to see that union bosses are overlooking the impact that they are having on the public,” May’s official spokeswoman said. “We obviously want to see this situation resolved.”
With services cancelled, London Victoria, Southern’s main terminus, was also quieter than usual on Monday morning. Just a few hundred commuters stood waiting as the tannoy announced cancellation after cancellation “due to a shortage of train crew”. Asked whether the prime minister might back calls for GTR to be stripped of the Southern franchise due to persistent shortcomings in the service, the spokeswoman said: “It’s not as simple or straightforward as saying there’s one answer or one solution. You would have to think carefully about whether that would create more uncertainty.”
Arriving on the 7.54am service from Brighton, a train that was six minutes late, Steve Mansfield was hurrying to work after catching the service at Haywards Heath. “There’s nothing to London Bridge so I’m here,” he said. “It’s another half hour at least... we’re all absolutely bloody fed up with it to the back teeth.” May’s spokeswoman denied that the government had a responsibility to step in and resolve the dispute, saying it had to be settled between the company and unions.
Brandishing his travel card, he added: “It’s a bargain for three and a half thousand quid or whatever.” Labour blamed the government for the strike. Andy McDonald, the shadow transport secretary, said: “The country’s biggest rail franchise is failing. Passengers are enduring the worst delays in the country, fares are up 25% and promised investment looks further away than ever, yet the Tory government seems more interested in pursuing an ideological dust-up with rail unions than improving abysmal passenger services.”
Memi Galiatsatou, a treasury analyst from Worthing, said: “I had to take the bus to get to Brighton. I paid £7 for a return ticket on top of my normal fare. It’s ridiculous.” The BBC reported that Brighton station was quieter than usual in the morning rush hour, even for school holidays, possibly as a result of many altering their travel plans or working from home.
Asked about the ongoing industrial dispute, she said: “I think it’s ridiculous. It’s been two and a half months now. It’s getting out of hand. Someone has to do something about it.” With services cancelled, London Victoria station, Southern’s main terminus, was also quieter than usual on Monday morning. Just a few hundred commuters stood waiting as the public address system announced cancellation after cancellation “due to a shortage of train crew”.
Arriving on the 7.54am train from Brighton, which was six minutes late, Steve Mansfield was hurrying to work after catching the service at Haywards Heath. “There’s nothing to London Bridge so I’m here,” he said. “It’s another half hour at least... We’re all absolutely bloody fed up with it to the back teeth.”
Brandishing his travel card, he said: “It’s a bargain for three and a half thousand quid or whatever.”
Memi Galiatsatou, a treasury analyst from Worthing, West Sussex, said: “I had to take the bus to get to Brighton. I paid £7 for a return ticket on top of my normal fare. It’s ridiculous.”
Asked about the industrial dispute, she said: “I think it’s ridiculous. It’s been two and a half months now. It’s getting out of hand. Someone has to do something about it.”
Related: Southern’s rail service is disastrous. For disabled passengers, it’s even worse | Penny PepperRelated: Southern’s rail service is disastrous. For disabled passengers, it’s even worse | Penny Pepper
Martin Simms said he was forced to stand all the way from Three Bridges, West Sussex, on his journey into Victoria. He said unions and management had performed poorly, adding: “they shouldn’t inconvenience the public as much as they have done. It’s taken too long. We are suffering.” Martin Simms said he was forced to stand all the way from Three Bridges, West Sussex, on his journey into Victoria. Unions and management had performed poorly, he said, adding: “They shouldn’t inconvenience the public as much as they have done. It’s taken too long. We are suffering.”
But some commuters reported a better journey than usual. James Aitchison, 43, a publisher who commutes from Haywards Heath to Victoria, caught the 8.33 Gatwick Express, said he had a “dream journey” with a quiet station and a few spare seats on the train. He added: “The train got to Victoria on time, despite idling for several minutes at Gatwick Airport and Clapham Junction - which is just a reflection of the bloated journey times in the official timetables to increase the chances of trains arriving on time.” But some commuters reported a better journey than usual. James Aitchison, 43, a publisher who commutes from Haywards Heath to Victoria and caught the 8.33am Gatwick Express, said he had a “dream journey”, with a quiet station and a few spare seats on the train.
However, in some suburban stations crowding was apparently worse than ever. Jonathan Ricketts, 34, a commuter from Reigate, said the rail schedule appeared to have been altered overnight and there was extreme overcrowding. He said: “When I went to bed I checked the national rail app which said there was a train at 06:48 from Redhill. I woke up early and saw that it is not running. The 7:11 is absolutely packed … A couple travelling in together are split as one gets on but the other can’t fit on. Thirty-eight minutes is going to feel a very, very long time before I get off.” “The train got to Victoria on time, despite idling for several minutes at Gatwick Airport and Clapham Junction – which is just a reflection of the bloated journey times in the official timetables to increase the chances of trains arriving on time,” he said.
The evening rush hour has often proved more disruptive for commuters, and services will be limited even should they run smoothly, user groups warned. The passengers’ group for the Redhill and Reigate district in Surrey, one of the worst hit in Southern disruption, said the RMT and the company were holding users in contempt. The group’s spokesman, Stephen Trigg, said: “Rail users are again going to find total failure in trying to go about their daily lives. Last trains this week to Redhill are around 7pm … All in all another heavy slap in the face for the poor, tired and frustrated commuters.” However, in some suburban stations, crowding was apparently far worse than usual. Jonathan Ricketts, 34, a commuter from Reigate, Surrey, said the rail schedule appeared to have been altered overnight and there was extreme overcrowding.
Speaking at the picket at Victoria, the RMT’s regional organiser, Paul Cox, said: “I do agree with the majority of the public now, it’s important that this company is removed from the franchise and a new operator brought in. We can get on with providing a safe, efficient service that people in the south-east deserve.” “When I went to bed I checked the National Rail app, which said there was a train at 6.48am from Redhill,” he said. “I woke up early and saw that it was not running. The 7.11am is absolutely packed … A couple travelling in together are split as one gets on but the other can’t fit on. Thirty-eight minutes is going to feel a very, very long time before I get off.”
The evening rush hour could prove more disruptive for commuters, with services limited even if they run smoothly, user groups warned. The passengers’ group for the Redhill and Reigate district in Surrey, one of the worst affected by the Southern disruption, said the RMT and the company were holding users in contempt. The group’s spokesman, Stephen Trigg, said: “Rail users are again going to find total failure in trying to go about their daily lives. Last trains this week to Redhill are around 7pm … All in all, another heavy slap in the face for the poor, tired and frustrated commuters.”
Speaking at the picket line at Victoria, the RMT’s regional organiser for the south-east, Paul Cox, said: “I do agree with the majority of the public now, it’s important that this company is removed from the franchise and a new operator brought in. We can get on with providing a safe, efficient service that people in the south-east deserve.”
Planned industrial action in Scotland was called off last week after Abellio ScotRail agreed to renegotiate the role of guards in a similar dispute. Cox said: “Why is it good enough for an agreement in Scotland and have it rejected in the south-east, what is the rationale for that? Different executives.”Planned industrial action in Scotland was called off last week after Abellio ScotRail agreed to renegotiate the role of guards in a similar dispute. Cox said: “Why is it good enough for an agreement in Scotland and have it rejected in the south-east, what is the rationale for that? Different executives.”
But Horton told the BBC that Govia Thameslink was adamant it would be starting moves later this month to phase out conductors and bring in its planned onboard supervisor roles, with the drivers responsible for closing the doors. He said: “We will be making that change ... It will move things forward.” But Horton told the BBC that GTR was adamant it would be starting moves later this month to phase out conductors and bring in planned onboard supervisor roles, with drivers responsible for closing the doors. “We will be making that change ... It will move things forward,” he said.
He said heeding calls for him or his company to quit would simply leave the franchise leaderless and delay improvements for passengers. He added: “We have been talking about this change for nine months. The RMT have set their face against modernisation.” Heeding calls for him or his company to quit would simply leave the franchise leaderless and delay improvements for passengers, Horton claimed. “We have been talking about this change for nine months. The RMT have set their face against modernisation,” he said.
Politicians of all sides have called for Southern to be stripped of the franchise, although many have strongly criticsed the RMT. Huw Merriman, a member of the transport select committee and MP for the badly affected Bexhill and Battle constituency in East Sussex, and who commutes on Southern, said he believed the action was unjustified, but added: “However, this situation has become so serious that I believe the Department of Transport should join the negotiations to assess if they can make a commitment to onboard staffing levels beyond the end of the current Southern franchise.” Politicians of all sides have called for Southern to be stripped of the franchise, although many have strongly criticised the RMT. Huw Merriman, a member of the transport select committee and the MP for the badly affected Bexhill and Battle constituency in East Sussex, who commutes on Southern, said he believed the action was unjustified. But he added: “However, this situation has become so serious that I believe the Department for Transport should join the negotiations to assess if they can make a commitment to onboard staffing levels beyond the end of the current Southern franchise.”
The week-long strike comes just before annual fare rises are revealed. Unless ministers intervene, fares are due to go up by the retail price index inflation rate published next Tuesday, which is likely to add another £65 to annual season tickets from Brighton to London. Campaigners have demanded that Southern fares be frozen in recognition of the disruption to the promised service. An announcement on further compensation is also expected from the government. The week-long strike comes shortly before annual fare rises are revealed. Unless ministers intervene, fares are due to go up by the retail price index inflation rate, published on Tuesday 16 August, which is likely to add another £65 to annual season tickets from Brighton to London. Campaigners have demanded that Southern fares be frozen in recognition of the disruption to the promised service. An announcement on further compensation is also expected from the government.