Time for Southern Rail to come clean over its emergency timetable

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesperson, commenting on the Mayor’s call for TfL to take immediate charge of the failing Govia Thamelink Railway Southern franchise, said:

“As a daily user of Sothern Rail I am painfully aware of its appalling service that has been provided over many months.

“Fundamental errors have been made in terms of planning by its senior management.

“The permanent solution must be stripping out much of the franchise from Govia and running it by London Overground.

“In the short term the company needs to state when their reduced timetable will come to an end. The company also needs to come clean as to how many drivers they actually require to run their full timetable without relying on the use of overtime and set out their exact plans to address their driver shortage. I hope the Mayor joins me in demanding this information is finally provided.”