Boxing Day trains needed

Derek McDonald ‘reminds’ us that it was British Rail which stopped Boxing Day trains ( Open Access,

RAIL 824). I was aware of that, but it is not relevant to the argument.

He also asks us whether those suggesting Boxing Day trains would like to work over the Christmas period. I did exactly that when working in France (in a bank). Trains ran to Saturday schedules (every 15 minutes between Versailles RD and Paris St. Lazare). They even ran Sunday services on Christmas Day.

I recognise that some drivers will have family or religious reasons for not wishing to work on Boxing Day, and they should be allowed to opt out. However, many people staffing key services do have to work over Christmas. Illnesses don’t take a holiday break, so people such as doctors and nurses are needed then. Why should their journeys be made more difficult? John Reynolds, Vice-Chairman, Tonbridge Line Commuters, Tonbridge