Posted 19th January 2010 | 5 Comments
First Capital Connect recovery starts, but DfT sounds warning note
This iced-up AWS connector was just one of the problems affecting Class 319 units last week
FIRST Capital Connect is running an improved timetable on its Thameslink route this week, with ‘significantly more trains’, but there are signs that the patience of the DfT may be wearing thin after almost three months of disruption.
The company has provided a variety of emergency timetables since its drivers began a virtual ban on overtime and rest day working last October in protest at a proposed pay deal. A revised pay offer has now been accepted, but FCC was hit by further problems this month when the icy weather caused multiple failures of its Class 319 units, which are the backbone of the Thameslink fleet.
The transport secretary Andrew Adonis had remained silent as FCC limped through November and December, but he has now sounded a warning that he is considering ‘all options’ in relation to the franchise.
Meanwhile, there was better news for FCC when the last of its long-delayed Class 377 units arrived on Friday. These have been held up by problems related to the recession which affected suppliers to the Bombardier train-building plant in Derby. The 23 new four-car units, which are being sub-leased from Southern for the time being, should have been in service almost a year ago.
The outlook was looking better on Monday and Tuesday as a much fuller timetable took effect, but fresh disruption affected the Luton to Bedford section on Tuesday, after a person was hit by a train near Leagrave.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
J Peters, Bedford
I find it incredible the FCC belive they can run a service on the good will of their drivers. Here we are in the 21st century and FCC are reliant on drivers working overtime to maintain a service, I have never heard anything so Ridiculous.
FCC really need to reconsider their business model.
andrew ganley, Sutton, england
Lord Adonis is only now giving a warning to FCC wow! thats about right,dont know about Adonis running our rail regulators maybe we need Arnie S!!
Typical politician talks a good job but when the sh..te hits the fan does nothing.
E Morris, Epsom, Uk
Too late for apologies from First Capital Connect. I've just returned from Berlin ,currently experiencing ongoing snow and freezing weather; yet the trains still run , are cheaper and more comfortable ! Get Deutsche Bahn over to run Thameslink.
Mark Wellesley-Wood, Horsham, UK
Can someone please put this management team out of their misery. They manged a breakdown between City Thameslink and Blackfriars on Monday the 18th. There is almost line of sight from the platform on at Thameslink and the platform at Blackfriars yet First Capital can get train stuck imbetween the two!!! Quite incredible. I spent five and half hours commuting yesterday - and I live in West Sussex, not New York !!! We have the dirtiest trains the most blocked toilets and the oldest rolling stock. Part of the problem is that somebody thinks this network 'connects' - it should stop trying to run around between Rochester and Milton Keynes and all over and just concentrate on getting people between Bedford and Brighton - in a straight line- and on time and regularly. Only then should they attempt anything more ambitous like cross country services.
N Hughes, East Sussex
Commuters cannot continue to be subject to the level of cancellations and delays that they have endured over the last few months. Yesterday, Monday 18th January the first day of resumed timetable my partner arrived at work 20 minutes late due to the 8.50am Brighton - Bedford breaking down as it left the station. Last night, he arrived home 3 hours after leaving St. Pancras. That is 2 HOURS LATE IN ONE DAY. The level of frustration and misery is mounting by the day and something has to be done NOW. There is an active facebook group with 1800 member I hate First Capital Connect, There is also a website with over 2000 comments from irate users and disgruntled FCC staff at www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk. This is in additional to an petition with 3500 signatures on the No.10 website calling for their franchise to end and an Early Day Motion raised by Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam. FCC must not underestimate the level of anger and frustration