Two meetings for commuters to air train grievances

Two meetings are to be held in Brighton and Hove in the coming days for disgruntled commuters to air their grievances.

The meetings have been called after many weeks of misery on the Brighton mainline following a bitter dispute between the RMT union and Southern bosses.

Conductors have walked out four times, and a combination of increased sickness and new inflexibility on shift rotas has led to massive short staffing and extensive train cancellations.

At issue is the further introduction of driver-only operated trains, which the RMT says puts passenger safety at risk – but which Southern says has already been happening with no issues on many services.

The first meeting, hosted by Hove MP Peter Kyle, will see Dyan Crowther, Govia’s chief operating officer, answering commuters’ questions at All Saints Church in Hove on Saturday, 2 July at 1.30pm.

Then five days later, on Thursday, 7 July, Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas will host a meeting at Jury’s Inn by Brighton Station at 7.30pm, featuring Southern’s passenger services director Alex Foulds, head of stations David Coates and head of conductors Piero McCarthy.

Ms Lucas said: “It’s no exaggeration to say that hundreds of people have contacted me about the extent to which passengers are being let down on the rail network, day in and day out.

“This is a huge issue for Brighton & Hove and I want my constituents to have the opportunity to speak directly with those who bear some responsibility.”

Anyone planning on attending either meeting is asked to register their interest. If you want to go to Saturday’s meeting, you will need to register here. To attend Thursday’s, email brightonoffice@parliament.uk