Thameslink woes continue

Brighton and Hove commuters are still having to endure a reduced timetable on Thameslink trains.
First Capital Connect, which runs Thameslink trains through London Bridge to Blackfriars, King’s Cross and Bedford, brought in its winter timetable yesterday (Sunday 13 December).
But it is running a reduced version of its timetable from today until further notice.
When the ASLEF union withdrew its threat of a strike last Thursday, First Capital Connect said: “We are working jointly with ASLEF to encourage our drivers to resume rest day and overtime working, our aim being to provide a full, normal service to our customers as quickly as possible.”
Drivers stopped volunteering for overtime and for rest day shifts when the company said that they would not receive a pay rise in the coming year.
A strike ballot was held but, before any formal industrial action could take place, the company and the union agreed a two-year pay rise for hundreds of drivers.
Despite this, a reduced timetable is still being operated because too few drivers have volunteered for extra work.
Leaflets being given out at some Thameslink stations today said: “Fewer than the anticipated number of drivers have put themselves down to be rostered next week given that they only learned on Tuesday night of the ASLEF decision.”
But the “I hate Thameslink” website predicts that it will be weeks before drivers volunteer in the necessary numbers for First Capital Connect to reinstate the full timetable.