Thameslink boss exits after timetable fiasco

THE chief executive of Govia Thameslink has quit following last month’s disastrous implementation of new rail timetables.

Charles Horton recognised “passengers have been hugely frustrated” and said it was the “right time to hand leadership of GTR [Govia Thameslink] to a new pair of hands”.

Commuters have faced chaos since a new timetable was introduced on May 20. Up to half of the trains operated by GTR – which runs the Southern, Thameslink and Northern networks – were cancelled or severely delayed in the weeks that followed.

Theresa May, the Prime Minister, called the fiasco “totally unacceptable”. Meanwhile, Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, faced calls for his resignation. Mr Grayling criticised Network Rail, which is responsible for the majority of the nation’s rail infrastructure, but said it was “clear that GTR and Northern were not sufficiently prepared to manage a timetable change of this scale”.

Despite falling on his sword over the disruption to thousands of passengers, Mr Horton insisted he was “immensely proud of my team”.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the rail watchdog Transport Focus, said passengers “will probably welcome a fresh start” and Mr Horton’s exit signified a “recognition of the problems inflicted on them”.

David Brown, chief executive of GTR parent Goahead, said: “I would like to thank Charles for his hard work with Govia for the past 15 years. Under often challenging conditions, he has built a team to deliver the largest railway change programme for decades, on a franchise that is not only the UK’S biggest, but which has also has seen the highest passenger growth.

“We are committed to working with the Department for Transport and Network Rail to address recent problems and to deliver a reliable, punctual service for passengers.”

Mr Horton will remain in his post for a short period “to oversee the development of a temporary timetable to address recent disruption to services” before stepping down. FTSE 250 company Go-ahead owns 65pc of GTR, which is a joint venture with Keolis, the French statebacked specialist.