Accessibility and ownership of the UK’s railways

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jan/27/accessibility-and-ownership-of-the-uks-railways

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Re the letter from Charles Horton of Govia Thameslink Railway (21 January), removing the guarantee of “turn up and go” travel at 33 stations and formalising the need for advance booking all over the network means taking a significant step back for rail accessibility. It even goes against the grain of the rail industry itself, which is heading steadily towards the target of making all vehicles fully accessible by 1 January 2020. He should elaborate on exactly what “clear system” is in place for disabled passengers on Southern. We have recently heard reports of wheelchair users being left behind on platforms, as well as and instances of communication failures throughout the year – affecting even pre-booked travel. If he wants to restore disabled passengers’ confidence, he should start by declaring publicly what percentage of trains are now running without an on-board supervisor. Southern should then begin a more intelligent approach to communications and staffing.Emily YatesCo-founder, Association of British Commuters

• Calls for public ownership (Government planning possible takeover of Southern rail, 26 January) are understandable but there is also an opportunity to look at alternative ways of creating an efficient rail network – one that is trusted by passengers and workers alike. Inspiration can be taken from George Freeman MP, chair of the prime minister’s policy board, who has long advocated a mutual model for rail franchises. This chimes neatly with both the Shaw report on the future shape and financing of Network Rail, which recommended that new franchises should have greater union and passenger representation, and with the PM’s ambition for a greater voice for workers on company boards. More thought should be put into the running of rail franchises as multi-stakeholder social enterprises, with worker and passenger representation at the top table and a commitment to reinvesting profits in service delivery.Peter HolbrookChief executive, Social Enterprise UK

• Reading the letter from Charles Horton (CEO of Govia Thameslink Railway, the parent company of Southern) made me feel physically sick. Reports of disabled passengers being abandoned on station platforms, even despite having booked assistance in advance in accordance with Southern’s degrading requirements, have been widely publicised.

Mr Horton cannot blame Victorian infrastructure for the appalling consequences of his forcing through of driver-only operated services on the Southern network with no apparent regard for industrial relations or the health and safety of passengers.

I am dependent on Southern to get to and from work. Mr Horton’s stated aim of “getting all our passengers where they want to be, safely and on time” is completely divorced from the daily reality experienced by many thousands of people. Rachel MartinOxted, Surrey

• You are quite right to highlight the plight of commuters in the East Sussex town of Seaford. As a resident here, I have become too used to spending four-plus hours a day on a train, often changing several times due to a multitude of excuses.

When leaving London in the evenings, I now play the game “how far south can I get before I resort to a taxi?”

However, the return of a full service is farcical. This week we have seen umpteen delays and disruption. While it’s a relief to have the rail service back instead of replacement buses doubling the journey length, the delivery of service by Southern is not fit for purpose.

The government has failed and the MP for the Lewes constituency, Maria Caulfield, has failed in this regard. Southern rail is a contract, not a franchise, meaning the government could and should have intervened sooner. The strikes were the tip of the iceberg, especially in Seaford, where we have had replacement rail buses for 11 of the past 18 months.

The truth is that the government is taking areas like Seaford for granted, and the people have the right to feel betrayed. When will they stand up and take responsibility for a failing rail service and give it to an operator that can deliver. Kelly-Marie Blundell Seaford

• As a disabled passenger, reliant on a mobility scooter and railways for transport, I can categorically state that the GTR approach to providing accessible transport is laughable and offensive.

I have been abandoned due to last train cancellations, forced to wait for hours in the cold for taxis that, with the best will in the world, are incapable of transporting my scooter, been turfed off a train once boarded, refused boarding another, left on trains either “running fast” or “pulled up short” due to either lack of platform or train staff, let alone a lack of communication between various parts of “operations”.

There may be a perception that there are more staff than ever on trains but these are not readily evident, particularly within the London suburbs, this doesn’t get over the lack of manned stations during all operational times. This is not guaranteeing disabled access!

Until on-board supervisors and/or fully manned stations are mandatory and readily contactable this will never happen.

I’ve travelled via London Bridge and each time, upon my return, they have failed to call Coulsdon Town, meaning they are not aware I’m on my way. If they can’t contact them it seems they have no idea they need to contact Purley!

While many may consider the railway infrastructure to be Victorian, the tracks and signalling have been upgraded since then. Or is Mr Horton now admitting that the technology introduced is not fit for purpose?

I demand Mr Horton responds publicly.Ms Tilly SimmondsCoulsdon, Surrey

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