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Southern rail strike: Train drivers begin 48-hour walkout Southern rail strike: Train drivers begin 48-hour walkout
(about 3 hours later)
Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers face travel chaos as the Southern network grinds to a halt during a walkout by train drivers.Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers face travel chaos as the Southern network grinds to a halt during a walkout by train drivers.
Drivers with the Aslef union walked out for 48 hours at midnight. A further 24-hour strike is set for Friday.Drivers with the Aslef union walked out for 48 hours at midnight. A further 24-hour strike is set for Friday.
Around 300,000 passengers usually travel on 2,242 Southern services every weekday, but they have been told there will be no trains on any route.Around 300,000 passengers usually travel on 2,242 Southern services every weekday, but they have been told there will be no trains on any route.
Southern has warned people not to travel.Southern has warned people not to travel.
There will be a limited Gatwick Express service to and from London Victoria.There will be a limited Gatwick Express service to and from London Victoria.
Passengers have suffered months of disruption in the dispute, which is about whose job it should be to open and close the train doors, but this is the first strike by Aslef drivers.Passengers have suffered months of disruption in the dispute, which is about whose job it should be to open and close the train doors, but this is the first strike by Aslef drivers.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal rejected an attempt by Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink (GTR) to halt the action.On Monday, the Court of Appeal rejected an attempt by Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink (GTR) to halt the action.
The RMT union has staged strikes since April over changes to the role of conductors, and is also planning further stoppages either side of Christmas.The RMT union has staged strikes since April over changes to the role of conductors, and is also planning further stoppages either side of Christmas.
There have also been staff shortages, staff sickness, an overtime ban and other problems such as signal failures.There have also been staff shortages, staff sickness, an overtime ban and other problems such as signal failures.
Analysis by Richard Westcott, BBC Transport CorrespondentAnalysis by Richard Westcott, BBC Transport Correspondent
In a nutshell, the Southern strike is about about safety, jobs and politics.In a nutshell, the Southern strike is about about safety, jobs and politics.
On safety, Southern wants to bring in something called driver-only-operated (DOO) trains where the driver, rather than the conductor, opens and closes the doors.On safety, Southern wants to bring in something called driver-only-operated (DOO) trains where the driver, rather than the conductor, opens and closes the doors.
Unions say the on-board conductor/guard has a much better view of the doors and can stop people getting trapped.Unions say the on-board conductor/guard has a much better view of the doors and can stop people getting trapped.
Southern has guaranteed that no-one will lose their job, or take a pay cut. The second person will now be free to help passengers, they say.Southern has guaranteed that no-one will lose their job, or take a pay cut. The second person will now be free to help passengers, they say.
Then there's the politics.Then there's the politics.
Ministers are paying Southern's parent company, GTR, to run services, while the government collects the fare money.Ministers are paying Southern's parent company, GTR, to run services, while the government collects the fare money.
So the cost of all the strikes and disruption is picked up by the government, not the train firm.So the cost of all the strikes and disruption is picked up by the government, not the train firm.
Whatever happens here will be reflected in future franchises as they take delivery of new driver-only-operated trains.Whatever happens here will be reflected in future franchises as they take delivery of new driver-only-operated trains.
Right now, I really can't see how this dispute will end. No-one's budging on the critical issue. No-one's even talking.Right now, I really can't see how this dispute will end. No-one's budging on the critical issue. No-one's even talking.
What's the Southern Rail strike about?
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)
Are you a commuter who has been impacted by the disruption on Southern rail services? Or are you an employer whose staff have been struggling to get to work? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your views and experiences.Are you a commuter who has been impacted by the disruption on Southern rail services? Or are you an employer whose staff have been struggling to get to work? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your views and experiences.
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:
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