Crispin Blunt is offering to be called as a witness in a court case against Southern Railway being brought by an Earlswood commuter who has suffered massive inconvenience due to reduced and overcrowded services from Earlswood to and from London.
Earlswood resident, Sergei Cristo, sued Southern after his appeals to Southern were ignored.Peak time services from Earlswood to London Bridge were significantly reduced, resulting in overcrowding. Southern did not take any steps to mitigate the situation for over a year, with commuters forced to change at East Croydon with poor onward connections to London. The reduction in service has not been compensated against the cost of the season ticket.
Mr Cristo’s claim against Southern has now been referred from the small claims court to Reigate Court. The hearing date is yet to be set, but is likely to be soon.
Crispin Blunt said: “I fully support the case that Sergei Cristo is bringing against Southern and wish him well. The way in which commuters have been treated with cuts to services and no efforts made to address overcrowding is shocking. If I am given an opportunity to appear before the court, I will speak on behalf of the countless constituents who have contacted me about their nightmare stories trying to get to and from work by train. This legal action should throw a spotlight on the desperate and urgent need to get some justice for rail users and the campaign for compensation and fair fares.”