Revised timetable running well says Southern

As of 08:30 over 92% of Southern services were running to time against the temporary weekday revised timetable, implemented on the morning of Monday 11 July, to reduce the impact on passengers and staff of unpredictable and late notice cancellations.

Services continue to be very busy but there are no reported crowding issues. The temporary timetable has 85% of the normal number of trains.

Southern has had issues with train crew availability ever since the RMT launched industrial action over the operator’s plans to evolve the role of many of its on-board staff so that drivers would close train doors instead of conductors.

A Southern spokesperson said:

“We know the service level in the last couple of months has not been good enough and we apologise unreservedly. This new timetable allows us to target our resources where they are needed most and at the same time give passengers a more predictable service which they can plan their lives around.

“It is a temporary measure while we work with the RMT to end the dispute and bring their members back to work and, while it should be judged over a few days, the first few hours of operation are encouraging.”

Notes

The number of trains cancelled in the revised timetable is 341, which is broadly similar to the number being cancelled ad hoc previously, but the bulk of the train service will be delivered when people need it most by targeting available traincrew to the busiest lines and times of day, and by minimising gaps between trains wherever possible.

We are advising customers to check before they travel. Full information and a map detailing the changes made to the timetable, are available at www.southernrailway.com/revisedtimetable

Southern is also taking action to encourage staff back to work and working with the Government to introduce more generous passenger compensation. Compensation information is available at http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/customer-services/delay-repay/