I’m writing this week’s column after handing out leaflets at Three Bridges Station for my public meeting with Govia Thameslink Railway representatives; my thanks to all who took the time to attend the event on 25th August at St Wilfrid’s Secondary School.
As we have seen in recent days, some politicians think the railways are to be used as a political football. I have to say this is a contrast to myself and to parliamentary colleagues, with whom I continue to work on a cross-party basis in the interests of passengers.
I've secured a debate in the House of Commons on Monday, 12th September, on GTR’s services. We will be using this debate to not only raise the role of GTR and the unions, who have plans for further strike action next month, but to also hold the Government to account.
The then-Rail Minister, Claire Perry, made repeated assurances that the Government are committed to improving compensation arrangements – such as reducing the time threshold for applying to 15 minutes, from half an hour at present. This is a move I support and it’s an issue I’ve already raised with Claire Perry’s successor, Paul Maynard, when he visited Three Bridges in July.
While the Government’s rail fare cap will save annual season ticket holders an average of £425 in the five years to 2020, in light of the ongoing disruption I do not believe it is appropriate for passengers’ fares to be increased at all.
Govia Thameslink Railway operate the Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express lines. Since the summer, there has been a reduced Southern service. GTR tried to justify this by stating it would ensure greater reliability across the network. Those of us using the service would question its effect.
In recent days, the RMT union have announced another strike affecting Southern services, on 7th and 8th September. I hope that by the time this column goes to print they would have done the sensible thing and called it off. Both the RMT and GTR need to get back round the table. At the end of the day it’s us – the passengers – who suffer when industrial action is taken.