Power to the people: commuters club together to raise funds for judicial review into Southern Rail network September 5, 2016 Frustrated commuters have clubbed together to fund a judicial review into the Department for Transport’s (DfT) handling of the chaotic Southern Rail franchise. The Association of British Commuters announced this morning that it would be teaming up with lawyers to launch the process and urged angry commuters to contribute by submitting their tales of woe. Read more: [...]
Southern Rail strikes are going ahead despite both sides wanting to talk September 4, 2016 A 48-hour strike by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union on the Southern Rail network will go ahead on 7 September despite both sides saying that they are available to hold talks to avert industrial action. The walk-out, the latest in the long-running dispute over the role of guards on the troubled network will [...]
“Shameful” Southern rail owner set for best one-day stock market performance since 2009 September 2, 2016 Southern Rail owner Go-Ahead Group is set for its best one-day performance on the stock market since 2009. Go-Ahead was slammed as "shameful" as it reported a 27 per cent growth in statutory pre-tax profits this morning. But investors are flocking to the company, with shares currently up more than nine per cent to 2,184p. If the nine [...]
Southern rail owner apologises to commuters as it reports 27 per cent profit growth September 2, 2016 Southern Rail stakeholder Go-Ahead Group has apologised to customers for a disrupted service as it reported a 27 per cent growth in pre-tax profits. The results came at the end of a summer filled with disruptions for users of Southern rail. Go-Ahead shares rocketed more than seven per cent on Friday morning. The figures Go-Ahead has reported [...]
The Govia Thameslink strike set for 7 September has been called off September 1, 2016 It looks like a 24-hour strike by Southern railway workers next Wednesday in a row over ticket office closures will not be going ahead. Rail union RMT confirmed today that it has suspended strike action involving Southern operator Govia Thameslink's station staff, scheduled for 7 September, after "significant progress" was made in talks held at ACAS yesterday. The union [...]
Department of Transport £20m Southern Rail investment criticised by Umunna and RMT September 1, 2016 A package of measures unveiled this morning to improve the performance of Britain’s worst performing rail network was blasted by both Labour politicians and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union. Transport secretary Chris Grayling announced a £20m investment to improve performance on the Southern Rail network. Read more: Department for Transport offers up £20m to [...]
Department for Transport unveils £20m plan to get Southern back on track September 1, 2016 Transport secretary Chris Grayling has unveiled a package of measures aimed at improving the performance of the Southern rail network and restoring passenger confidence. The new measures include a £20m fund and the appointment of one of Britain’s most experienced rail industry figures, Chris Gibb, to help get the service back "running as it should". London [...]
Jeremy Corbyn’s traingate tiff with Virgin East Coast over lack of seats put transport issues on the map September 1, 2016 The bizarre story of Jeremy Corbyn’s attempt to find a seat on a Virgin East Coast service to Newcastle has dominated the news agenda over the past week. Corbyn initially released a video in which he claimed he was forced to sit in the corridor due to overcrowding, while Virgin released CCTV images which it said [...]
Southern Rail restores 119 of the 341 services cancelled in July August 30, 2016 After promising that customers will be automatically refunded for delays on the network, Southern Rail announced that it would also be reinstating 119 services. Read more: Southern rail to fork out hefty passenger payouts amid major disruption Southern cancelled 341 services on 11 July in an attempt to provide a more realistic service following unprecedented [...]
Southern rail forced to fork out more hefty payouts as passengers suffer disruption, automatic refunds set to begin from next year August 30, 2016 Southern Rail has been forced to overhaul the way it compensates passengers affected by poor services, following meagre payouts in the past and as claims for delayed journeys soar on the back of this summer’s industrial action. The busy commuter service has been beset by delays, cancellations and strikes in a long-running dispute over the role of guards. [...]