Day Trip to Eastbourne, and above board too!

Yes, yesterday was the most exciting day of the year for me, sad me, a day trip to Eastbourne, "didn't I have a wonderful time the day I went to Eastbourne!" 🎵 And it was above board too, I kid you not, this was the 'Gatwick Express' train (from Hastings to Brighton, presumably Southern borrowed it) that I arrived in Eastbourne on. Indeed, I was here to visit the theatre, the Congress Theatre to be precise..

So I wound my way down to the Congress Theatre, behind The Stage Door here, which obviously wasn't open, though I could have enjoyed a pint of ale, but no, if you aren't already aware, the Congress Theatre is in a more modern building, part of The Welcome Building, I do believe. And, because I couldn't get an appointment in Hastings to receive my vaccination for COVID-19 after receiving a letter from the NHS sent to me 3 weeks ago, I went online on Wednesday and got a booking in Eastbourne for the next day, I wish I'd not waited! Apparently, Hastings had run out of vaccines by the end of last week and there would be no vaccinations given in Hastings this week.

Have to admit I was relieved to get this appointment, when I first looked online to book an appointment I was offered Crystal Palace football stadium, which I thought was a bit far to walk to, and back. So I managed to get an appointment somewhere a bit closer, which was also a bit far to walk to and back in the day, but not much more than a half hour trip on the Gatwick Express was infinitely better than getting to Crystal Palace!

Anyway, whilst I was there I popped down to the beach (above and, in the distance, you can even see Marine Court in Hastings, just), I didn't stay long here though, as my appointment was for 30 minutes later. So if you receive a letter from the NHS inviting you to book appointments for a vaccination, plus booster 12 weeks later, consider going online, and you can get a wee seaside day trip out of it; I'll not make any witty comments after that, but I'll leave it for you to make up your own. 😉

If it is your turn to receive the letter and make appointments, here is the link.

Stay safe folks!

Railway Operator and DfT slammed by NAO!

You won't be surprised that Govia Thamelink, who run Southern Railway, has the most delayed and disrupted trains in Britain, three times worse than the average on the rest of the railways. The heaviest-used sections Govia run are on Southern. The lines from Sussex constitute four-fifths of their operations, with around three-quarter of a million journeys made each day, sometimes.

Travellers have spent £3.6 billion on tickets over the past three years, of which around one-fifth has been pocketed by the DfT. Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the franchise holder, has so far lost over £5m on the troubled contract. The National Audit Office (NAO) report on the franchise finds it had “not delivered value for money”. On average commuters have found one in 13 trains either cancelled or so late (over half-an-hour).

Many cancellations were the result of staff shortages, partly because of the ongoing industrial dispute, we have been suffering. The Department for Transport (DfT) had wanted the extension of 'Driver Only' trains, expecting Govia to do its dirty work, but the NAO report says it had failed to “fully evaluate the possible effects on passengers of different scenarios of industrial action before awarding the contract”.

This dispute is now in its third calendar year; the latest stoppage in this long and bitter conflict took place on Monday for Southern, but other services in other parts of the country will have more industrial action today and on Sunday. Even if the franchise had enjoyed no industrial action, it would still have had staffing issues: Govia had begun with an insufficient number of drivers to operate published timetables. The NAO asserts that before awarding the contract, the DfT failed to “seek sufficient assurance that Govia Thameslink would have enough train drivers when it took on the franchise.”

The report adds: “The Department and Network Rail did not have a good understanding of the underlying condition of the existing network at the point when the Department set the requirements of the franchise. 

If there is any comfort for the very long-suffering commuters, it is that occasional travellers from London Victoria to Gatwick airport fared even worse than the rest of the franchise. More than a quarter of Gatwick Express trains have been more than five minutes late over the past three years. And that is despite a one-way fare for the 28-mile journey of £19.90, more than the price of the plane ticket for some."

The NAO concludes: “When designing future franchise contracts, the Department should give more consideration to the potential impact on passengers of its decisions.”

There's a surprise, not.

New Year Rail Conflict - No change there!

The Southern Rail dispute which I've been writing about since April 2016 continues, despite the drivers union Aslef accepting a 28.5% pay increase over 5 years. Indeed, the conductors union RMT, continues to campaign for safety on railways, even though the drivers' belief in safety suddenly dissolved when offered the above what most of us will get pay rise! Anyway, there is a strike this Monday the 8th of January 2018, but on the company website, it appears to show that Hastings services will run as per the rewritten time-table, though people living in Brighton may have problems. As usual, take the advice carefully, I won't be using Southern this Monday, South Eastern if necessary. In addition, there is industrial action by RMT throughout the country!

By the way, money given to Govia Thamelink, who own the Southern franchise, and the South Eastern franchise by the way, is going to France as they are 35% owned by the French company Keolis; which means that taxpayers' money pumped into Southern by the Government to beat British trade unions into accepting driver-only trains, is going to help fund rail services in France, just saying...

Oh yes, and when the Govia Thameslink franchise comes up for renewal in 2021, the franchise is to be broken up, that'll help Southern, no doubt!

Southern Rail, and the Farce Goes on!

Well, the last 2 days strike by RMT union conductors is over, don't hold your breath, and you've probably already seen the drivers (Aslef union) have accepted a 28.5% pay deal, to be paid over 5 years (BBC website), that appears to include the aim of having a second 'safety-trained' person on board all trains, 'except in exceptional circumstances' - as in, when one is not available! However, trains will still be able to run with only a driver on board, except no-one else will be on board to supervise safety, eg evacuation procedures, indeed, the train will have no facility to assist disabled or older people requiring assistance, so they may well be left stranded on station platforms...

I think we haven't seen the last of this incompetent shower as we return to the inefficient rail service that Southern has provided over recent years, which, in reality, has continued even on non-strike days, and who hasn't been left stranded at Eastbourne late at night with no trains or replacement bus service available, I know I have!

Time to re-nationalise the railways, pretty please!

And yet more rail chaos coming! Hmmm...

Do you want to catch one of these trains on either the 3rd or 5th of October 2017? Well, you may not be able too, because, have a guess what?!? Yep, conductors, supported by the RMT union, are going on strike again... Why? Because they believe that trains, including 8 and 12 carriage trains, should have more than just one member of staff on board, and Southern Railway, ie the franchise owned by Govia Thameslink, think they only need one member of staff on board, and they are supported by the Government, and by taxpayers' money which funds the Government's battle against the unions (including the drivers' union Aslef)! More at this website.

Dear oh dear, when will we get a decent rail service?

Southern Rail Update, not just Industrial Action to come...

Well, since the public holidays a Saturday service has been running on Southern Rail, but today, Thursday 29th, there will be no service between Ashford and Brighton. Friday will see a full Saturday service (hopefully) and Saturday, well, it's best to re-look at their website for details nearer the time.

The RMT (conductors) will be on strike 1st and 2nd January, so expect to catch a bus from Hastings, or use South Eastern or alternative services instead (see website).

Also, remember that Aslef (drivers) are not working overtime...

Southern Rail - Guess What, Again?!?

Well, don't expect to see one of these in Hastings today and tomorrow, as it's the RMT's turn to strike in which, I believe to be, the brought forward Christmas strike, oh yes, and Aslef, the drivers, are still working to rule, as in, not working overtime (apparently, there are not enough drivers working for Southern to maintain services, consequently the need for drivers to work overtime to maintain timetables!).

But contingency plans have become much more elaborate at last, with travelling to London allowed with Southern tickets on South Eastern from Hastings railway station, and buses picking up and dropping off customers at stops along the Brighton/Ashford line; see the Southern website for more details of alternative travel.

Southern update

OK, so no strike today, and talks are set to continue at Acas to try and find a compromise that both sides of the dispute can accept, but don't hold your breath! 

Aslef remain on an overtime ban, and Southern have already warned that, though today isn't a strike day, 'services', though I use the term loosely, will still be disrupted, and the strikes will continue at midnight if there is no resolution at Acas, of course. 

Indeed, I can't see a resolution on the horizon whilst the Government interferes in the background, as I have said on a number of occasions, and supported by the £20 million Government payment to Southern in September, and the estimated £50 million more we're about to pay (see the Telegraph, for example). meaning that us, the UK taxpayers, are paying much too much for a failed rail service. 

Meanwhile, the Mayor of London offers to help sort out the problem, suggesting that the Government allow Transport for London to run the franchise (as I witnessed on BBC news yesterday), and which has been reported on a few times before, but I can't see the Government allowing that... shame on them!

Southern Rail, guess what...

Well, don't expect to see one of these, unless in the sidings, either today, or tomorrow, or, indeed, not on Friday either! It will soon become easier to say when they ARE running, for example, there will be Southern trains running on Thursday, but, don't forget, Aslef  are also not working overtime, so still could be problems... 

Go to the Southern website for further details.

Southern Rail Saga Continues...

Industrial action continues from midnight tonight, until midnight on Thursday, this time it's the RMT conductor's turn to strike, whilst Aslef drivers continue their 'work to rule' (Southern website). I give up! 

Take away the franchise so we can have decent rail services down here in Sussex!

Southern Rail and Christmas Conflict!

Following on from the RMT resting back on industrial action, but with Aslef joining the affray, now Southern aren't entering the Christmas 'spirit' that RMT are, but they appear to be seeking to escalate industrial action in our region, as in, they have decided to take to the Courts to attack the newcomer to the conflict, ie Aslef' and its separate industrial action (see the BBC). When will they ever learn? 

Oh no, I forgot, the Government are supporting Southern to beat the unions (see my previous blog, nearly 4 months ago); obviously they don't give a toss for us customers!

The RMT and Early Christmas Cheer!

The RMT appears to have brought forward their strike from the immediate pre-Christmas dates of  22-24 December, and now to be held for 48 hours from the 19th of December instead (BBC), Christmas cheer from one of the protagonists! 

ASLEF joins the fray!

Members of the Aslef union (the train drivers) are to walk out for 48 hours from December 13th, for 24 hours on the 16th, and between January 9th and 14th. This will add to the industrial action by the RMT (train guards) already being enacted in the Southern rail (dis) service! See BBC website. 

Surely it must be time for Southern to lose the franchise, please! 

Southern's Intransigence is Intransient!

The industrial action continues from midnight tonight until midnight on Wednesday, don't expect peace before the end of the year, thanks to Government interference (see my blog of 6 August)! So, travelling from Hastings is going to be much easier on South Eastern for a couple of days, indeed, even on a non-strike day, travelling on Southern can be farcical, noting that no-one knew what was going on at Bexhill yesterday, and my return to Hastings on a bus that should have been retired years ago...

Though even Southern have accepted they made one mistake, see BBC website, if only because this tactic resulted in a torrent of criticism!

Southern Rail Strike for 2 days

Southern Rail workers are on strike again, due to end tomorrow night at 23.59 hours, so expect a difficult journey if travelling on Southern; see website for details.

Southern Rail plans yet another timetable "shakeup"

As if this isn't already a political battle between the Government and unions and rail users, and, make no mistake about it, it isn't just about the Government attacking the unions, it's also about using us Southern rail commuters and other rail users as pawns in their battle against the RMT, as I've suggested before... and it really is time to bring the railways back under democratic control, not allowing Government ministers' friends to make even more money out of taxpayers and rail users, as they do now (see BBC website).

More Southern Rail Industrial Action.

South Eastern trains should be running as usual, however, Southern's service was disrupted again yesterday, as it will be today; see their website for up to date news.

£20,000,000 more?!?

£20,000,000 fund (from us, the taxpayers, it appears!) to improve a 'service' run by a private company for profit, Southern, but why oh why? Private railways do NOT work, hence, why they were 'socialised' or nationalised after World War II, in the first place, and the only rail company that has contributed to the Exchequer rather than drain money in recent years was East Coast, after it was 'socialised' by the last Labour government, before it was again sold off, to Virgin, this time! For example, see the BBC website.

Southern don't need even more taxpayers money to cosy their wee nest, it needs to be shut down, it is inefficient, it needs to be excised from the public purse and a new socialised rail company to be instituted in its place! 

And why oh why are our NHS doctors being demonised yet again (BBC), and being accused of playing politics?!? We were promised, by Brexiteers, like the (now) Foreign Secretary, that another £350,000,000 would be available a week if we voted to leave the European Union, did they lie, or were they playing politics?!? Of course they did both, and, sadly, our NHS is being attacked again... 

Hastings is being shafted by the Government in more than one way these days... not just the over the national average reduction of government funding that has occurred in recent years, now our Health Service and Railways are being endangered, sad days...

Southern Rail: industrial unrest continues, not a surprise...

If you haven't already heard, unsurprisingly, see my recent blog, Southern Rail and the RMT have come to yet another impasse, with the union explaining that the rail operator had rejected its proposals "out of hand" (link)! 

This 'negotiation' does now appear to have been totally usurped by politics, whilst all that the people of Hastings want is a decent rail service... It's time now for the franchise to be pulled from Govia Thameslink and passed to someone with a good track record (excuse the pun) and who can run a rail service efficiently, Transport for London have put themselves forward (link), yes pretty please! 

Write to your MP, who lists one of her political interests as "transport" (website), I have! 

Here's my missive: 

Dear Amber Rudd,

As our MP, and someone who has listed one of her political interests with Parliament as 'transport' -  http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/amber-rudd/3983 - I am pleading that you help to sort out the industrial dispute between Govia Thameslink and the RMT, which has caused tremendous problems with those of your constituents who use the railway for employment, educational, and social purposes. 

Surely, now is the time to withdraw the franchise from Govia Thameslink, who have not been providing an efficient service for the last few years, indeed, even before the dispute started! 

I have read that Transport for London are prepared to take on the franchise, please please please help to sort this out and ensure the franchise is withdrawn from Govia and passed to someone willing to take on the franchise efficiently, or to bring about an in-house management service, like happened with East Coast, the only rail company to contribute to the Exchequer since privatisation, whilst all other rail companies are paid £millions by the Exchequer. 

I trust you will give this problem your attention and ensure that your constituents no longer have to cope with an inferior rail service.

Many thanks, 

Yours sincerely,

Email:  amber.rudd.mp@parliament.uk 

Rail Strike Suspended

The RMT has suspended industrial action whilst talks resume at ACAS, but don't expect a decent service until the weekend as Southern continue with same timetable; see website.