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| Redhill rail users' bid to charter train on strike days fails | Redhill rail users' bid to charter train on strike days fails |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A group of rail users have failed in an attempt to charter a train from Surrey to London on strike days next week. | A group of rail users have failed in an attempt to charter a train from Surrey to London on strike days next week. |
| Reigate, Redhill & District Rail Users Association (RRDRUA) began talks with the Train Chartering Company about a service from Redhill to Victoria. | Reigate, Redhill & District Rail Users Association (RRDRUA) began talks with the Train Chartering Company about a service from Redhill to Victoria. |
| Commuter Antony Sims said they simply had to get to work during the strikes planned by unions on Southern services. | Commuter Antony Sims said they simply had to get to work during the strikes planned by unions on Southern services. |
| But the group's idea stalled when it was told no driver or train was available for a service. | But the group's idea stalled when it was told no driver or train was available for a service. |
| Mr Sims had hoped to run one return service a day on strike days but said the charter company was concerned about the "short notice". | Mr Sims had hoped to run one return service a day on strike days but said the charter company was concerned about the "short notice". |
| Simon Pielow, co-owner of Train Chartering Company, said: "Although it was theoretically possible and we believed Network Rail would support it, we were unable to find a train or a driver to charter the service." | Simon Pielow, co-owner of Train Chartering Company, said: "Although it was theoretically possible and we believed Network Rail would support it, we were unable to find a train or a driver to charter the service." |
| 'Horrific service' | 'Horrific service' |
| The trip would have cost about £60 per person with the number of tickets limited and no standing room allowed, Mr Sims added. | |
| A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Britain's railways are open to all and so long as the relevant competencies and safety checks are done and cleared then we would welcome any train operator onto our network." | A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Britain's railways are open to all and so long as the relevant competencies and safety checks are done and cleared then we would welcome any train operator onto our network." |
| Mr Pielow of the Train Chartering Company said he did not know why a train and driver could not be found but said the request was received at short notice. | Mr Pielow of the Train Chartering Company said he did not know why a train and driver could not be found but said the request was received at short notice. |
| The rail users group has not given up on finding a solution and is now actively looking into other options, including a coach service. | The rail users group has not given up on finding a solution and is now actively looking into other options, including a coach service. |
| Mr Sims said: "Service has been horrific for a whole year but when there are no trains at all that is a whole different ball game. A lot of commuters have jobs they can't not go to." | Mr Sims said: "Service has been horrific for a whole year but when there are no trains at all that is a whole different ball game. A lot of commuters have jobs they can't not go to." |
| He added: "I just wish [all sides] would all get together and sort the problem out. As rail users we do not have a voice but we are the ones who are most affected." | He added: "I just wish [all sides] would all get together and sort the problem out. As rail users we do not have a voice but we are the ones who are most affected." |
| 'Fabricated nonsense' | 'Fabricated nonsense' |
| Meanwhile, drivers' union Aslef has criticised Southern trains for cancelling several services from Eastbourne on Saturday. | Meanwhile, drivers' union Aslef has criticised Southern trains for cancelling several services from Eastbourne on Saturday. |
| The union, whose members have agreed a ban on working overtime, claimed the company was blaming the industrial action with Aslef saying there were drivers and staff available to run the services. | The union, whose members have agreed a ban on working overtime, claimed the company was blaming the industrial action with Aslef saying there were drivers and staff available to run the services. |
| Southern said the union's claims were "absolute fabricated nonsense" and the company was trying to provide "the best possible service under very challenging circumstances". | Southern said the union's claims were "absolute fabricated nonsense" and the company was trying to provide "the best possible service under very challenging circumstances". |
| Southern planned rail strike dates: | Southern planned rail strike dates: |
| 00:01 Tuesday 13 December to 23:59 Wednesday 14 December (Aslef) | 00:01 Tuesday 13 December to 23:59 Wednesday 14 December (Aslef) |
| 00:01 Friday 16 December to 23:59: Friday 16 December (Aslef) | 00:01 Friday 16 December to 23:59: Friday 16 December (Aslef) |
| 00:01 Monday 19 December to 23:59 Tuesday 20 December (RMT) | 00:01 Monday 19 December to 23:59 Tuesday 20 December (RMT) |
| 00:01 Saturday 31 December to 23:59 Monday 2 January (RMT) | 00:01 Saturday 31 December to 23:59 Monday 2 January (RMT) |
| 00:01 Monday 9 January to 23:59: Saturday 14 January (Aslef) | 00:01 Monday 9 January to 23:59: Saturday 14 January (Aslef) |