The train service for passengers from Brighton and Hove was not good enough last year but it is improving, the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said this morning (Thursday 22 June).
Mr Grayling, responding to the Gibb report, which was published this morning, vowed more investment in rail and an even better service in future.
He said: “I commissioned Chris Gibb to provide me with advice on how to deliver improvements to train services across the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise.
“Chris Gibb’s report was undertaken between September and December 2016 at the height of industrial action on Southern.
“Indeed, Chris Gibb found industrial action to be the major factor causing disruption for passengers.
“I’m pleased that since the new year, passengers have seen the benefits of performance improvements on Southern.
“A 23 percentage point increase in performance on Southern this year is significant and it is delivering passengers the reliable, efficient rail service they deserve.
“The department has published Chris Gibb’s report today. His 30-plus years of experience in the rail industry meant he was uniquely placed to offer this advice and I thank him for his contribution.
“This report was due to be published in April, following the department’s initial assessment of the recommendations with GTR and Network Rail.
“The pre-election period meant we could not release the report and today’s publication is as soon after the election as possible.
“Chris Gibb’s advice is a detailed, considered account of the problems the network experienced last year and his assessment of the best means of addressing these factors now and for the future.
“Work is already under way to deliver on the recommendations of the report.
“For example, in January 2017, I announced £300 million for Network Rail to improve rail infrastructure and resilience along the Southern and Thameslink rail networks.
“This will underpin the delivery of the Thameslink Programme and the major region-wide connectivity it will bring.
“GTR’s public consultation on the Thameslink timetable is about to enter its next phase. We look forward to hearing people’s views and ideas on service timing and frequency.
“Chris Gibb also recommended setting up a Thameslink Industry Readiness Board which we did in January this year, with him as chair.
“Their role is to independently review, direct and challenge the industry programme delivering Thameslink 2018.
“Further work and assessment is needed from industry on a small number of Chris Gibb’s recommendations.
“This reflects the fact that his role was never to set out detailed business cases for particular initiatives or determine the impacts on public spending.
“In many respects Chris Gibb’s advice aligns with the direction I want the industry to take as rail travel increases.
“Passenger journeys on Southern’s major routes into London have doubled in the last 12 years.
“I wish to say directly to those passengers – while I am pleased performance is improving – I understand that last year you were let down by train services that simply were not good enough.
“We took steps to improve compensation but ultimately we need services that meet your expectations – for reliability, safety, comfort, cleanliness and value for money – and I am determined to take the necessary steps to deliver needed improvements.”
Performance has not improved if my journey the other day was anything to go by. Several late trains, cancellations, early terminations and diversions with few or no announcements. And it wasn’t even a strike day.
There is a long way to go before the Government can claim the service is improving.