In case anyone wasn't aware, there's a rail strike tomorrow and wed. More info here: http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/strike

Thanks! Not sure we'll notice a difference in quality of service though...

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This post was last modified: 26-04-2016 09:09 AM by crassbelch.

I believe this is a policy of all the major parties in the election and has been a recommendation of the Forest Hill Society for even longer.

From Sadiq Khan's manifesto:

Well, it's there, but it's a bit loosely worded; I don't think that it is a priority for him. Conversely, I haven't read Zac Goldsmith's manifesto, so I cannot compare the relative priorities for the candidates.

The current mayor has also been pushing for it but this was blocked by budget cuts in 2013. This means that we are stuck with Southern at least until the end of their contract.

All part of a process kicked off by Ken. Some cross party support since then but it does need funding to kick the ball rolling. Will be good to see the government catching up.

That's in 2021 (source).

Might not have to wait that long: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport...s-a3156341

Personally I think southern have given up already and don't even bother trying, well, all except the Canadian sounding train driver on the LBG/ECR route who makes announcements as though he's flying a plane. He's very good and makes me smile.

Yippee, another strike. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport...35606.html

Now a one for two courtesy of RMT. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport...39596.html

Seems all the delays over the last few days are conductors who are ill. Who would have thought conductors who are in dispute with Southern would suddenly getting ill.

A cynic might wonder whether the guys that were planning to strike on 10-13 May had made plans that they didn't want to cancel when the strike was moved to a different day

Strike on the 18th announced at LB this morning.

Vote to strike - then when the day arrives for the strike - go sick, lose no pay

They really are extracting the urine http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport...46246.html

I'm usually the first to criticise Southern over delays, but they do seem to have got their act together this year and the frequent delays of 2015 do seem to have reduced significantly. That said, removing the 18.06 from London Bridge from the timetable is pretty unforgivable.

I haven't noticed any impact of the conductor strike to FH trains - assume because they don't have conductors?

Hmmm. I'm not finding southern much good this year. I feel as though they have given up, are expecting to lose the franchise, and are making no further investment and minimal effort in running the service.

I'm somewhat worried that they will run it into such a state that it will take the next franchisee some time to recover, recruiting and training staff and the like.

Taking the franchise away from Southern early would seem too kind. Instead they should be fined heavily, as that's possibly the only thing they would react against. However I doubt the rail franchise contacts include such provision, and if they did, it would be so woolly that some appeals and re-appeals process would just sink lots of money into a protracted legal battle yielding little real justice.

Southern is part of a larger franchise, Govia Thameslink Railway who operate the Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern brands. Note the word brand.

GTR are franchised to operate this super large franchise until July 2021 and as part of that, introduce the new Thameslink service through London Bridge as well as maintaining the current service.

The old Southern was merged into this super company last year and have been trying to find ways to save money, the first being closing ticket offices at some of their managed stations such as Peckham Rye, which was rejected. The next has been the reason why they've striked which is to reduce the role of the conductor.

Interesting notes rbmartin. Seems the MPs aren't happy commuters either and don't want to wait until 2021:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport...57331.html

Interesting article in the Guardian today:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...ges-delays