This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37347053
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Rail minister Paul Maynard 'committed' to resolving Southern Rail issues | Rail minister Paul Maynard 'committed' to resolving Southern Rail issues |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Rail Minister Paul Maynard has assured passengers he is determined to resolve issues on the troubled Southern network as a matter of urgency. | Rail Minister Paul Maynard has assured passengers he is determined to resolve issues on the troubled Southern network as a matter of urgency. |
| The government is to hold talks this week with Southern, which links London with Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. | |
| The rail company is embroiled in a long-running union dispute over the role of guards on new trains. | The rail company is embroiled in a long-running union dispute over the role of guards on new trains. |
| Mr Maynard said the continued delays and cancellations affecting the service were "unacceptable". | Mr Maynard said the continued delays and cancellations affecting the service were "unacceptable". |
| More updates on BBC Live: Sussex | More updates on BBC Live: Sussex |
| Industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and high levels of staff sickness have hit services, with the introduction of a temporary emergency timetable initially cutting up to 341 trains a day. | Industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and high levels of staff sickness have hit services, with the introduction of a temporary emergency timetable initially cutting up to 341 trains a day. |
| Mr Maynard told the Commons: "Some routes are still suffering badly and my priority is making sure services are being restored in a timely, sensible and lasting manner." | Mr Maynard told the Commons: "Some routes are still suffering badly and my priority is making sure services are being restored in a timely, sensible and lasting manner." |
| "The real solution here is for the RMT to bring this dispute to a close and start to put passengers first," he added. | "The real solution here is for the RMT to bring this dispute to a close and start to put passengers first," he added. |
| Mr Maynard also denied plans for "more generous" compensation to Southern Rail commuters affected by strikes were on the "backburner". | Mr Maynard also denied plans for "more generous" compensation to Southern Rail commuters affected by strikes were on the "backburner". |
| He also agreed to consider calls for season ticket holders to receive a rebate of up to 20%. | He also agreed to consider calls for season ticket holders to receive a rebate of up to 20%. |
| 'National disgrace' | 'National disgrace' |
| Meanwhile, Southern announced it would reinstate the full timetable from Tonbridge and Reigate to Redhill and London Victoria/London Bridge on Monday. | Meanwhile, Southern announced it would reinstate the full timetable from Tonbridge and Reigate to Redhill and London Victoria/London Bridge on Monday. |
| Alex Foulds, Southern's passenger services director, apologised to customers "who have suffered ever since the RMT began their unnecessary action". | Alex Foulds, Southern's passenger services director, apologised to customers "who have suffered ever since the RMT began their unnecessary action". |
| He said the temporary weekday timetable had been delivering a "more consistent, reliable" service. | He said the temporary weekday timetable had been delivering a "more consistent, reliable" service. |
| "We are steadily reintroducing trains and will continue to do so until the entire timetable is back in place," he added. | "We are steadily reintroducing trains and will continue to do so until the entire timetable is back in place," he added. |
| Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, called the changes "pitiful". | Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, called the changes "pitiful". |
| He added: "The fact passengers are still paying through the nose for a vastly reduced service is solely due to the gross managerial incompetence and profiteering of this basket-case rail operator. | He added: "The fact passengers are still paying through the nose for a vastly reduced service is solely due to the gross managerial incompetence and profiteering of this basket-case rail operator. |
| "Yet again Southern are blaming their staff for their own systemic failures..." | "Yet again Southern are blaming their staff for their own systemic failures..." |
| RMT spokesman Garry Hassell has said the dispute "could last until Christmas". | RMT spokesman Garry Hassell has said the dispute "could last until Christmas". |