All change AGAIN on first-class clown’s line
COMMUTERS face more rush-hour havoc today after a rail operator introduced its third timetable in just two months.
Passengers on Thameslink and Great Northern routes have endured severe disruption since a new timetable came into force in May.
When it proved unworkable, another was introduced in June, removing 6 per cent of daily services. However, the service was still unreliable.
Now Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has amended its timetable again – beginning yesterday – to allow for engineering works.
It comes after Govia executive Mark Boon was dubbed the ‘ first- class clown’ for refusing to let passengers on an overcrowded train sit in the first-class cabin, where he was the only occupant.
The firm was criticised on Tuesday when a passenger tweeted a photo of Mr Boon after he stopped other travellers on a packed, late train using first-class, where he and his bag took up two seats.
Govia said its new timetable meant some services would be cancelled in advance, but the number of on-the-day cancellations should fall. Charles Horton, chief executive of GTR – the parent company of Thameslink and Great Northern, resigned following the announcement. The Government has warned that Govia Thameslink’s poor record means it risks losing its franchise.