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More London Midland trains cancelled over staff shortages More London Midland trains cancelled over staff shortages
(about 4 hours later)
More than 30 trains in and out of Birmingham have been cancelled because of a shortage of drivers.More than 30 trains in and out of Birmingham have been cancelled because of a shortage of drivers.
London Midland has cancelled trains on the Birmingham-Coventry-Northampton, Lichfield-Birmingham-Redditch and Wolverhampton-Birmingham-Walsall/Rugeley routes.London Midland has cancelled trains on the Birmingham-Coventry-Northampton, Lichfield-Birmingham-Redditch and Wolverhampton-Birmingham-Walsall/Rugeley routes.
The firm said it would try to provide road transport or stop faster trains if there was a "significant wait".The firm said it would try to provide road transport or stop faster trains if there was a "significant wait".
The company has apologised to commuters for the cancellations.The company has apologised to commuters for the cancellations.
Another 30 services will start or end at different stations.Another 30 services will start or end at different stations.
London Midland services have been hit by cancellations for several weeks.London Midland services have been hit by cancellations for several weeks.
Disruption until mid-DecemberDisruption until mid-December
On Saturday afternoon and evening up to 30 services on the same routes were subject to delays or cancellations.On Saturday afternoon and evening up to 30 services on the same routes were subject to delays or cancellations.
The company has said the shortfall in qualified train drivers will be addressed by mid-December.The company has said the shortfall in qualified train drivers will be addressed by mid-December.
Passengers have been advised that daily cancellation updates will be posted on the website at 17:00 BST the day before services are due to be affected.Passengers have been advised that daily cancellation updates will be posted on the website at 17:00 BST the day before services are due to be affected.
A message on the company's website said several services would be affected on Tuesday.A message on the company's website said several services would be affected on Tuesday.
These include trains between Coventry, London Euston, Northampton, Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street as well as between Redditch, Lichfield and Four Oaks.These include trains between Coventry, London Euston, Northampton, Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street as well as between Redditch, Lichfield and Four Oaks.
Most rail companies operate quite happily with a certain level of vacancies within the ranks of drivers.
But when too many drivers leave at once, as has happened at London Midland, you're in trouble.
Drivers departing from the company only have to give three months' notice, yet on average it takes about 12 months to train a new driver.
London Midland, like other companies, always has new drivers undergoing training, assuming a certain level of what's called "churn".
Astonishingly London Midland says normal services won't be back to normal until December, when more drivers complete training and a new more flexible shift pattern comes into effect.
Richard Brooks, commercial director for London Midland, said he wanted to "personally apologise" to everyone who has been affected.Richard Brooks, commercial director for London Midland, said he wanted to "personally apologise" to everyone who has been affected.
Mr Brooks said: "The challenge is that it takes over 12 months to recruit and train a driver yet we will lose drivers after three months if they choose to go elsewhere."Mr Brooks said: "The challenge is that it takes over 12 months to recruit and train a driver yet we will lose drivers after three months if they choose to go elsewhere."
He added timetables due to start on 9 December include "new ways of working" that will not lead to shortages of drivers.He added timetables due to start on 9 December include "new ways of working" that will not lead to shortages of drivers.
Phil Davies, from the passenger group Travelwatch West Midlands, said he believed the rail regulator should become involved to see if London Midland is "fit for purpose".Phil Davies, from the passenger group Travelwatch West Midlands, said he believed the rail regulator should become involved to see if London Midland is "fit for purpose".
"They've been promising new drivers but we do need to see some proof of action," he added."They've been promising new drivers but we do need to see some proof of action," he added.
Passenger Georgia Sutton-Hitch, from Worcester, said: "I've been affected by quite a few trains that have been delayed.Passenger Georgia Sutton-Hitch, from Worcester, said: "I've been affected by quite a few trains that have been delayed.
"I've been put on replacement bus services before, which are really annoying, and it's been happening more and more.""I've been put on replacement bus services before, which are really annoying, and it's been happening more and more."
Adele Dalton, from Leamington Spa, said: "I've not had any problems myself but my husband, who has to travel into Birmingham every day for work, has.Adele Dalton, from Leamington Spa, said: "I've not had any problems myself but my husband, who has to travel into Birmingham every day for work, has.
"It's unfortunate, but it does make things difficult for people who rely on trains.""It's unfortunate, but it does make things difficult for people who rely on trains."