Answers demanded on First Capital Connect train delays

Labour London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark, Val Shawcross AM has demanded a meeting with First Capital Connect bosses to discuss improvements to their train services, having been besieged with complaints from commuters during the recent severe disruptions.

First Capital Connect (FCC) customers have suffered a ‘revised’ timetable on services between Bedford and Brighton, and on the Sutton ‘loop’ service, since mid-November as FCC drivers refused to work overtime over a pay dispute. The result has been frequent delays, cancellations and overcrowded trains. Val has demanded an explanation from FCC management and is also raising concerns about the franchise’s management with rail minister Lord Adonis.

Val said ‘I’ve received a number of complaints from passengers, particularly from the Streatham area, where reliance on the ‘loop’ service is high. I find it ludicrous that train operators can apply to run services when they are depending on staff working overtime to deliver a proper timetable. I understand that the pay dispute which ASLEF members were involved in, which resulted in staff refusing to work overtime and on ‘rest days’ has now been resolved and hope services should improve. But the bigger issue needs to be looked into. I don’t believe staff should be obligated to work overtime and passengers have the right to expect a proper service – like the one advertised on timetables!’

Complaints to Val also indicate that passengers feel aggrieved that while they have been suffering from a dramatically reduced service, they are still paying the same amount for their travelcards. Val went on ‘FCC have indicated that some kind of compensation will be available to passengers, which is welcome, but what I want to know is how this situation, which has gone on for an excessively long time, was allowed to happen in the first place and to drag on for so long’.