A row over the safety of new 12-coach Gatwick Express trains has deepened with rail bosses’ threat to sue a union after drivers refused to operate them.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GRT) is seeking a High Court injunction against the move by Aslef, which says the new trains are not safe for passengers as the doors are opened by drivers not conductors.
But GTR says Gatwick Express drivers have been opening doors for 17 years now, and that the new trains are the same as ones already in operation on Thameslink services.
The move follows the refusal of drivers, at the instruction of the Aslef, to drive the first two services that had been due to operate in 12 car formation over the past ten days.
Gatwick Express services presently operate with either 5 or 10 carriages, but with the introduction of brand new trains this will increase to either 8 or 12 carriages over the next two months.
GTR says the new trains offer major benefits to passengers including increased capacity and reliability, a more comfortable travelling environment, WiFi and wider doors to assist disabled passengers and those travelling with luggage.
A GTR spokesperson said: “We launch legal action very reluctantly, but we have been left with no choice because of the position adopted by the ASLEF Union.
“Drivers have safely operated the doors on Gatwick Express services for many years so passengers will find their refusal to drive the new trains baffling.
“We will take any reasonable steps we can to defend the interests of our customers and maintain the Gatwick Express service with the new 12 car trains, which will increase capacity and reliability and give a more comfortable travelling environment for passengers.”
Following the application for an injunction, this matter is likely to be considered at a hearing at the High Court in the coming days.
To date, the refusal of drivers to operate the new 12 carriage services has led to the cancellation of two services. 12 car trains are due to make up 50% of all Gatwick Express services by June, so this legal action is necessary at this stage to ensure the roll-out of these services over the next couple of months is possible without major disruption to services.
Aslef is planning to ballot its members for industrial action over the dispute.
An Aslef spokesman said: “With the rise of violent and sexual offences on the railways the move to run driver-only trains is wrong.”
