Train operator Southern has been forced to cancel a number of services due to staff sickness, the company said today (Wednesday 4 May).
The problem is expected to affect trains all week, especially in the West Coastway line between Brighton and Portsmouth and Southampton.
And next week conductors belonging to the RMT Union are due to hold two 24-hour strikes which will affect passengers on Tuesday 10 May to Friday 13 May.
The company said: “Southern services are significantly reduced today between Brighton and Southampton due to a shortage of train crew.
“This will mean reduced journey options and for some journeys it will be necessary to change trains.
“Online journey planners have been updated with today’s service information.
“It is likely that this disruption will continue throughout the week.”
South West Trains will accept Southern tickets for the relevant trains.
Southern said: “Passengers travelling with Southern between Brighton and Southampton are being urged to check before they travel from (Wednesday) 4 May and for what is likely to be the rest of the week because of a significant number of cancellations due to a lack of available conductors.
Chief operating officer Dyan Crowther said: “We are extremely disappointed and frustrated that, due to an unusually high level of sickness among some of our conductors and some others not working their normal rest days, we are unable to run the full service between Southampton and Brighton.
“We know this will come as an added blow after last week’s conductors’ strike by members of the RMT union.
“We’ve done our best for passengers by making these changes to a route where there are alternative services but we know it is going to be difficult.
“When our plans to evolve the role of conductor are implemented this type of cancellation and disruption to passengers will be vastly reduced.”
Southern said: “Virtually all the hourly direct services between Brighton and Southampton will be cancelled, although Southern hopes to run some evening peak trains.
“Passengers are advised to take alternative services and change at Barnham for an onward train. They should also check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
“Anyone who has been delayed by 30 minutes or more can claim compensation at www.southernrailway.com/delayrepay.”
