It seems Govia Thameslink Railway is having major issues running any semblance of a timetable on its Southern Rail network, with an announcement that 341 services a day are to be axed, and a revised timetable to be introduced.
Southern Rail service arriving at Clapham Junction station – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
Southern Rail is currently dealing with high levels of sickness, along with a driver dispute over the use of Driver Only Operated Doors on their network. This in turn has led to cancellations.
Southern normally operate 2,242 services a day, connecting the South of England to London. The cut is equivalent to 15% of services not being operated.
The introduction of the new timetable will go into effect on the 11th July, with all new timetables available at http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/revised-timetable.
For visitors to the UK arriving at Gatwick Airport, the Gatwick Express service will still be running – with peak time services remain unaffected. Off peak services will be reduced. Southern Rail and Thameslink also operate services between London and Gatwick – check the timetables as always.
The revised timetable has got some big cancellations in it. In particular:
- The Milton Keynes to Clapham Junction has been withdrawn
- Southern Coastway services are subject to major reductions, and bus replacement services organised
- Buses will replace most trains between Seaford and Lewes
- Reduced off-peak service between Tonbridge and Redhill, requiring passengers to change at Redhill
- No services between Redhill and London Victoria off-peak. Passengers will need to change at East Croydon for Victoria, or use other services to London Bridge
Services operated by Thameslink and Great Northern are operating as usual (or as usual as those services ever get).
Southern Passenger Services Director Alex Foulds states:
“We are introducing this temporary weekday revised timetable with reluctance but it is the best thing we can do for our passengers who have been suffering daily cancellations ever since this dispute with the RMT began, and for which we are sincerely sorry.
“It should give the majority of our passengers a better, more consistent service that they can plan around.
Whilst our first priority is our passengers, we also understand that this has been a difficult time for our staff. Conductors already know that their jobs are guaranteed, that there will be no reduction in salary and that the independent rail safety body has confirmed our plans are safe.”
For commuters into London, this is nothing short of chaos. You’ll need to consider earlier trains or looking for the one or two services a dayy. For those exploring the South of England by train – it’s going to be a bit more difficult to say the least whilst the emergency time-table is in force.
As usual, plan your journey using National Rail Enquiries and cross-reference the changes with the new timetables issued by Southern.
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