4 July 2016
RMT Press Office:
Britain's worst rail franchise given green light to cancel another 350 trains a day.
On the eve of the Transport Select Committee taking evidence from rail union RMT on the gross mismanagement of the collapsing GTR franchise the union reveals today that the Government have given Govia Thameslink permission to introduce an emergency timetable from next Monday - 11th July - allowing them to cancel another 350 trains a day.
The figures were confirmed to the union at a Company Council Meeting on Friday.
MP's on the GTR routes are meeting with RMT today and the Transport Select Committee meets on Tuesday morning on the franchise.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;
"This latest savage attack on passenger services by GTR is nothing to do with staff sickness and everything to do with gross mismanagement of this franchise and the failure to employ enough guards and drivers to fill the current rosters and diagrams. The continuing attempt to blame the front line workforce for this crisis is a cynical and cowardly ploy that will not wash with the travelling public.
"The solution of this failing, basket-case franchise is not axing more trains and attacking those trying to hold it together at the sharp end - it is the removal of Govia at the earliest possible point.
"Directly Operated Railways, who sorted out the mess on the East Coast, are lined up and ready to go and they should be given the green light to take over and start running these routes under public control, in the public interest. "
Ends
Note. Select Committee Tuesday 5th July. Mick Cash will give evidence at around 10am.
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