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Southern rail strike: Five-day walkout begins Southern rail strike: Five-day walkout begins
(about 1 hour later)
The longest rail strike since 1968 has begun, with hundreds of trains cancelled on the Southern network across south east England.The longest rail strike since 1968 has begun, with hundreds of trains cancelled on the Southern network across south east England.
A five-day walkout by members of the RMT union started at midnight in a row over the role of conductors.A five-day walkout by members of the RMT union started at midnight in a row over the role of conductors.
Southern plans to run 60% of its normal timetable.Southern plans to run 60% of its normal timetable.
Parent rail firm Govia Thameslink (GTR) is in a bitter dispute with the RMT union over plans for drivers to operate the doors on new trains using CCTV.Parent rail firm Govia Thameslink (GTR) is in a bitter dispute with the RMT union over plans for drivers to operate the doors on new trains using CCTV.
BBC Correspondent Ben Thompson said the five-day walkout is the longest industrial action on the railways since 1968.BBC Correspondent Ben Thompson said the five-day walkout is the longest industrial action on the railways since 1968.
The union has staged several one-day strikes since 26 April after a vote by 393 members. It fears job losses and has safety concerns. The union has staged several one-day strikes since 26 April after a vote by 393 members.
Live updates on Southern strikeLive updates on Southern strike
Latest disruption information on BBC TravelLatest disruption information on BBC Travel
The RMT said the safety of the travelling public on "dangerously overcrowded trains and platforms" was "the fundamental issue at the heart of this dispute".
GTR said the action was "unnecessary, unacceptable and unjustified" and predicted it would "bring misery to hundreds of thousands of passengers".
No trains are running between:
Other lines are running between 07:30 and 18:00 only:
See Southern rail's map of revised services during the strike
Last month, Southern brought in a reduced timetable in response to continued cancellations and delays, blaming issues with crew availability during a dispute with the RMT.Last month, Southern brought in a reduced timetable in response to continued cancellations and delays, blaming issues with crew availability during a dispute with the RMT.
The revised schedule saw 15% of Southern trains cancelled. It previously ran 2,242 services every weekday.
GTR has faced repeated calls by unions, MPs and commuters for it to be stripped of its franchise during the disruption.
Two other rail unions, Aslef and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, are balloting their members about strike action in separate rows about new rosters and planned ticket office closures.
Commuters have staged protests in London and the South East over continued disruption on the Southern rail network.
Passengers have described 70-minute commutes taking three or four hours, being "turfed off trains" and feeling "utterly powerless" in the ongoing saga.Passengers have described 70-minute commutes taking three or four hours, being "turfed off trains" and feeling "utterly powerless" in the ongoing saga.
Photographer Hannah Kenyon, 27, has hired a car for the week for her journey from Hove to Emsworth, West Sussex.
She paid about £100 for the car rental - on top of her usual £55.40 train fare.
Ms Kenyon said: "It's been awful. With the delays and cancellations I've had to try to finish work early to get home.
"But this week I just couldn't get to work.
"It's not exactly great for me, having to drive and go on the motorway, but I didn't really have a choice."
Shelley Atlas, Brighton line commuters chairwoman, said: "We are obviously very concerned at the length of time this has gone on.Shelley Atlas, Brighton line commuters chairwoman, said: "We are obviously very concerned at the length of time this has gone on.
"Many of our members are very angry at having to face a further strike, and one lasting five days."Many of our members are very angry at having to face a further strike, and one lasting five days.
"Whilst some rail passengers may be able to work from home there are many who are not able to. Members are concerned as to when this will end.""Whilst some rail passengers may be able to work from home there are many who are not able to. Members are concerned as to when this will end."
Southern is the main operator for Sussex and east Surrey and also runs services in London, Kent, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire.Southern is the main operator for Sussex and east Surrey and also runs services in London, Kent, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire.
The RMT said the safety of the travelling public on "dangerously overcrowded trains and platforms" was "the fundamental issue at the heart of this dispute".
GTR chief executive Charles Horton said the RMT action was "completely unacceptable, unjustified and unnecessary" and he apologised for the "inconvenience and disruption to passengers' lives as a result".
He said the union rejected GTR's eight-point offer "out of hand".
No trains are running between:
Other lines are running between 07:30 and 18:00 only:
See Southern rail's map of revised services during the strike
Are you affected by the rail strike? You can share your comments and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you affected by the rail strike? You can share your comments and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below