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Govia Thameslink 'could lose franchise' over rail chaos | Govia Thameslink 'could lose franchise' over rail chaos |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Rail operator Govia Thameslink faces being stripped of its franchises unless performance on its services in the South East of England rapidly improves, the BBC understands. | Rail operator Govia Thameslink faces being stripped of its franchises unless performance on its services in the South East of England rapidly improves, the BBC understands. |
A source said the government could begin the process within weeks. | A source said the government could begin the process within weeks. |
Passengers on its Thameslink and Great Northern trains have endured more than a month of disruption following the introduction of new timetables in May. | Passengers on its Thameslink and Great Northern trains have endured more than a month of disruption following the introduction of new timetables in May. |
Meanwhile, commuters are to set receive compensation worth a month's travel. | Meanwhile, commuters are to set receive compensation worth a month's travel. |
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - which also runs Southern and the Gatwick Express services - changed the time of every train on its timetable on 20 May. | Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - which also runs Southern and the Gatwick Express services - changed the time of every train on its timetable on 20 May. |
Passengers were warned of disruption before the changes were brought in, but the implementation of the new timetable saw some services withdrawn and further cancellations without any warning. | Passengers were warned of disruption before the changes were brought in, but the implementation of the new timetable saw some services withdrawn and further cancellations without any warning. |
Since then, GTR chief executive Charles Horton has resigned and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has faced calls to stand down - as MPs from across all parties voiced their concern at the disruption caused in their constituencies. | Since then, GTR chief executive Charles Horton has resigned and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has faced calls to stand down - as MPs from across all parties voiced their concern at the disruption caused in their constituencies. |
'Last chance saloon' | 'Last chance saloon' |
Passengers have expressed their anger on social media, while last week a memo leaked by the RMT union revealed that extra security staff were at stations to protect staff from "unhappy customers". | Passengers have expressed their anger on social media, while last week a memo leaked by the RMT union revealed that extra security staff were at stations to protect staff from "unhappy customers". |
But there is also frustration within government that while Northern, which encountered similar problems in the North of England, has introduced an interim timetable, Govia Thameslink's equivalent is still a fortnight away. | But there is also frustration within government that while Northern, which encountered similar problems in the North of England, has introduced an interim timetable, Govia Thameslink's equivalent is still a fortnight away. |
"They are now in the last chance saloon," a government source told the BBC. | "They are now in the last chance saloon," a government source told the BBC. |
What do passengers say? | |
Will Graves, from Arlesey in Bedfordshire, spends around £400 each month commuting to London - but told the BBC the current service is "the worst I can remember in my 14 years of commuting". | |
Mr Graves said that trains are regularly cancelled and almost always delayed - often due to no driver being available. | |
"When you do get on a train, you're standing shoulder to shoulder - it's horrendous," said Mr Graves. "I think I've had only one journey that hasn't been delayed in the last month." | |
He added: "It's almost like [Govia Thameslink] don't want to do it properly." | |
Mick Cash, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, has called for the UK's privatised rail networks to be brought back into public ownership "on a permanent basis". | |
He described the "last chance saloon" comment as "empty rhetoric" that tells "these basket-case companies" that they have been "let off the hook again while services are reduced to chaos". | |
'Rip-off' | |
He added: "This is no time for empty threats from unnamed government sources. | He added: "This is no time for empty threats from unnamed government sources. |
A spokesman for Govia Thameslink refused to comment on the reports about the possible loss of the franchises, instead choosing to re-release a statement in which it said it was "sorry for the disruption". | A spokesman for Govia Thameslink refused to comment on the reports about the possible loss of the franchises, instead choosing to re-release a statement in which it said it was "sorry for the disruption". |
GTR had added it rescheduled every train in its franchise in an attempt to improve rail efficiency but it was a "hugely complicated task" and involved re-training drivers on new routes. | GTR had added it rescheduled every train in its franchise in an attempt to improve rail efficiency but it was a "hugely complicated task" and involved re-training drivers on new routes. |
Mr Grayling had previously announced there would be compensation for commuters and an inquiry into what went wrong, saying there had been "major failures" by the rail industry. | Mr Grayling had previously announced there would be compensation for commuters and an inquiry into what went wrong, saying there had been "major failures" by the rail industry. |
A Department for Transport spokesman added: "GTR passengers are encountering unacceptable service levels and the transport secretary and rail minister have been clear it is their priority that this is put right as soon as possible." | A Department for Transport spokesman added: "GTR passengers are encountering unacceptable service levels and the transport secretary and rail minister have been clear it is their priority that this is put right as soon as possible." |
Have you been affected by disruption on Govia Thameslink? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you been affected by disruption on Govia Thameslink? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
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: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |