Transport secretary apologises for trains “fiasco” and says new timetables and compensation scheme on the way
Jonathan Djanogly - Credit: Archant
Huntingdon MP Jonathan DJanogly has confirmed new train time-tables will be in place in the next three weeks and travellers can expect details about a compensation scheme in the next few days.
Mr Djanogly has met with transport secretary Chris Grayling to discuss the “awful and unacceptable” train service being provided by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).
The meeting took place on Tuesday evening and Mr Djanogly has been assured that efforts are being made to sort out the issues regarding the timetables that have caused so much disruption for travellers.
He told The Hunts Post: “I met with Chris Grayling to further discuss the awful service being provided by GTR. The secretary of state told me that he has met with GTR and told them that their service is unacceptable. This was followed by the subsequent resignation of the chief executive, Charles Horton.”
Mr Djanogly says Mr Grayling’s priority is the timetable “fiasco” and he hopes a resolution is a matter of weeks away.
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“The secretary of state mentioned that the formal process to finalise the review is significant and not straightforward. In this context he remains reluctant to take hasty steps that would make the recovery process more difficult for passengers. He has requested that GTR works on the timetables and an interim scheme should now be in place with the new timetable set for three weeks’ time.
“The secretary of state agreed with me that the Delay Repay scheme does not provide adequate compensation for regular commuters and he intends to publish a compensation scheme in the next few days which he hinted would be similar to the Southern scheme.
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“This involved awarding four weeks free travel. Finally, he reiterated that he is very sorry about the appalling treatment of passengers but maintains that the industry did not give any warning to him.”
Mr Djanogly concedes, however, that whichever part of the industry is proven to be in the wrong, “we need to wait for the result of the inquiries now taking place.”
He added: “Please be assured that I will continue to hold to account both GTR and transport ministers until these issues are resolved.”
