Reigate MP has today met with the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, to discuss the rail chaos brought about by the Thameslink upgrade works at London Bridge, and to again press the Government to work on a fare reduction scheme for the duration of the rail disruption.
At the meeting at the Department for Transport, Crispin Blunt explained how the combination of a reduced service, and timetabling and station access oversights by Network Rail had led to commuter misery far beyond what had been anticipated. Crispin Blunt also pressed the minister on:
- The revised timetable worsening overcrowding at London Victoria, with more commuters diverting to alternative terminals to avoid London Bridge.
- Statutory compensation paid to Southern and other train operators by Network Rail over the delays, and reduced track and platform access not being passed on to passengers.
- How a fare reduction package can be agreed between train operators, Network Rail, the Rail Regulator, and the Department for Transport for the duration of the London Bridge upgrade works.
Commenting, Crispin Blunt "The Secretary of State is acutely aware that Southern train services are far below what passengers rightly expect for paying a premium for their season tickets.
I have made it abundantly clear that patience among commuters has run out, and that urgent action needs to be taken to acknowledge the strain that much reduced services has put them under.
Network Rail are meant to pay the likes of Southern compensation when their planning goes awry, and services are disrupted even further. This money should be passed on to passengers and not hoarded by train operators. I made this point firmly to the Secretary of State.
I also pressed the Transport Secretary on Southern's absurd pricing structure which means that Redhill passengers pay more for their season tickets that than those at stations further away from the London Terminals. The minister agreed to look into these inconsistences with his officials and report back to me.
Finally, I reiterated the request I made to the rail minister in November last year: that the Department for Transport needs to work with Southern Rail and Thameslink to develop a "fair fare formula" for prolonged periods of disruption like the one we are experiencing. The London to Brighton mainline is profitable and is a net contributor to the railway network as a whole. The capacity and the executive powers exist to deliver equity and fairness to Reigate and Redhill commuters, and I want to see this taken forward.
The Secretary of State took on board all of the points and concerns I raised. He has agreed to write back to me within two weeks with his findings. I have written to him to thank him for the meeting and his agreement to respond so promptly, and to reiterate the key issues I invited him to address. A copy of this is attached. I know that Reigate and Redhill commuters will await his response with great anticipation."