Govia ‘is in last chance saloon’

BUNGLING rail operator Govia could be stripped of its Thameslink and Great Northern franchises within weeks.

An unnamed government source told the BBC that the process could begin imminently, with bosses at Govia Thameslink Railway ‘drinking in the last chance saloon’.

Their passengers have endured more than a month of disruption after a timetable introduced on May 20 led to thousands of trains being delayed or cancelled.

If service does not improve Govia could lose its contract to run the lines, which was due to continue until 2021. The firm declined to comment on the possible loss of its franchises.