Assembly asks Southeastern rail firm to explain 'appalling' week

Published on Thu 14th Jan 2010

A train operator has been taken to task over its "truly appalling" performance in freezing conditions during the last week.

Commuters have complained about the level of cancellations by Southeastern, a lack of information at its stations, and that there were no trains after 8pm for several days last week.

As a result the London Assembly's transport committee has written to Southeastern demanding a full explanation.

Committee chairman Caroline Pidgeon said: "Questions have to be asked how freight trains can run and yet passenger ones can't on the same lines.

Passengers need to be compensated and serious questions have to be asked about Southeastern's management during this snowy weather."

A spokesman for Southeastern, which runs trains through Kent, Sussex and south London, said: "We ran a revised timetable to reduce the chances of passengers being delayed on failed trains for long periods in freezing weather.

We tried to provide as much information as possible to help passengers

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23795056-london-assembly-asks-southeastern-trains-to-explain-appalling-week.do