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London Mayor urges takeover of 'failing' Southern rail London Mayor urges takeover of 'failing' Southern rail
(about 1 hour later)
The Mayor of London has repeated his offer to put Transport for London (TfL) in charge of "failing" Southern rail.The Mayor of London has repeated his offer to put Transport for London (TfL) in charge of "failing" Southern rail.
Passengers have suffered months of disruptions amid staff shortages and strike action by conductors.Passengers have suffered months of disruptions amid staff shortages and strike action by conductors.
TfL would be able to "get a grip" on the situation, Sadiq Khan told the government. His previous offer of a temporary takeover was rejected.TfL would be able to "get a grip" on the situation, Sadiq Khan told the government. His previous offer of a temporary takeover was rejected.
Operator Govia Thameslink Railway said its focus was on resolving issues, "not arguments about political control".Operator Govia Thameslink Railway said its focus was on resolving issues, "not arguments about political control".
Political control 'arguments'Political control 'arguments'
In a letter to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Mr Khan said TfL haD the expertise of running public transport services.In a letter to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Mr Khan said TfL haD the expertise of running public transport services.
He also criticised the government's refusal to reconsider who should run the franchise.He also criticised the government's refusal to reconsider who should run the franchise.
TfL can deliver a better service than Southern Rail by "immediately assigning an experienced team to fix the service", he wrote.TfL can deliver a better service than Southern Rail by "immediately assigning an experienced team to fix the service", he wrote.
Mr Khan said immediate action was needed adding, "passengers should not have to suffer any longer the appalling level of service they are currently forced to endure".Mr Khan said immediate action was needed adding, "passengers should not have to suffer any longer the appalling level of service they are currently forced to endure".
A spokesperson for Govia Thameslink Railway said: "Our focus is on resolving the immediate issues to restore the service that passengers rightly expect, not arguments about political control."A spokesperson for Govia Thameslink Railway said: "Our focus is on resolving the immediate issues to restore the service that passengers rightly expect, not arguments about political control."
Apologising to passengers, the operator added: "We are committed to a long-term franchise, reporting to the Department for Transport."Apologising to passengers, the operator added: "We are committed to a long-term franchise, reporting to the Department for Transport."
'Cannot guarantee safety'
Southern staff with the Rail, Maritime and Transport union went on strike for three days this week in a dispute over the role of conductors.Southern staff with the Rail, Maritime and Transport union went on strike for three days this week in a dispute over the role of conductors.
The union is now in talks with management at the conciliation service Acas.The union is now in talks with management at the conciliation service Acas.
Southern added 89 trains to Thursday's timetable after the RMT union suspended a five-day conductors' strike on Tuesday and agreed to new negotiations.Southern added 89 trains to Thursday's timetable after the RMT union suspended a five-day conductors' strike on Tuesday and agreed to new negotiations.
But it said the service would not return to the pre-strike timetable until the weekend.
No trains will run to Falmer station after 17:00 BST for fans travelling to Brighton and Hove Albion's game against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Championship.
"We have been liaising with British Transport Police and have jointly agreed that given the numbers of fans expected to attend the game, we cannot guarantee the safety of passengers and staff if we were to allow fans to travel by train to the game," it said in a statement.
The club has said the strike could cost the club as much as £300,000.