The Prime Minister defended the government’s handling of the Southern trains shambles this afternoon (Friday 30 September).
Theresa May said: “The Department for Transport are looking at this issue. We’ve been very clear with Southern that we are looking for improvements.”
On the eve of her 60th birthday and as her Conservative Party prepared to meet for its annual conference in Birmingham, she spoke to the BBC.
On the subject of Southern – owned by Govia Thameslink Railway – Mrs May said: “We recognise the concerns people have and the problems they have been facing. The government is working urgently to find solutions.”
Passengers have faced months of delays and cancellations as Southern has tried to change the role of guards on new trains to onboard supervisers.
The RMT believes that the change – switching responsibility for operating train doors to drivers – is less safe for the travelling public, while Southern bosses disagree.
Yesterday commuters held a protest demo at Victoria Station.
Working urgently, what total rubbish. This has been going on for 18 months. This government has no interest in the suffering of commuters in the South of England.
There are improvements and then there are IMPROVEMENTS