On 31 August, we wrote to Charles Horton, CEO of Southern, to ask for better prioritisation for our constituents who have had to endure the impact of the industrial action called by the RMT Union. Having been given guarantees over jobs and pay, we believe that the strikes by the RMT are without justification but we expect Southern to minimise passenger disruption. The contents of the letter, and the requests, were discussed with Charles Horton on 2 September and this conversation is summarised below.

Replacement Bus Services during industrial action

The RMT has called for further industrial action on 7 and 8 September. With schools returning this week, we have called for replacement bus services for constituents and this position was reiterated in the strongest terms to Charles Horton. Southern has today confirmed today that it will provide a rail replacement bus service between Bexhill Station, St Leonards Warrior Square and Hastings Station. These buses will operate every 30 minutes throughout the day starting early enough to meet the first and late enough to meet the last of the Southeastern service trains between Charing Cross and Hastings. During the morning and afternoon peak periods (05.30 to 10.30 and 15.30 to 20.00) the frequency will increase to every 15 minutes to cover for schools, peak road traffic and passenger demand.

In addition, Southern confirmed that the peak hours bus replacement service which operated between Hastings and Ashford during the last strike will run over these two days.

It has not been possible for Southern to provide a more geographically extensive rail replacement service.

Rail Timetable to be reinstated

In July, Southern introduced its emergency timetable as it could not operate all of its services due to the increased levels of Conductor sickness. This impacted passengers using our coastal services and we called for an end to this emergency timetable. We have now received assurances, via this call, that the full timetable will also be reinstated for Southern services which serve Bexhill and Hastings in a matter of weeks. Reassurance was given that that ‘weeks’ would not mean ‘months’. This is good news for our passengers who have had to endure a reduced service. It was explained that the South London and Surrey services have been reinstated slightly earlier to ensure a staged approach.

Prioritisation for Coastal Passengers

We made the point that the impact of the emergency timetable and lack of availability of replacement buses was not being offset by any of the new 'Driver Operated Only' (‘DOO’) trains on our line. We asked for prioritisation for our passengers as a result. On the call, it was pointed out to us that the new trains, and the efficiency they bring, will have positive knock-on effect for our constituency services (one cancellation elsewhere can bring the entire Southern network down) but our concern was heard, understood and recognised.

General Update

The following matters were also discussed during the call:

• Last week, the Government announced an extra £20m to add more immediacy to the programme of investment which Southern and Network Rail are delivering on our lines. Southern have welcomed this investment.
• Southern are currently rolling out the change in role from Conductors and Revenue Inspection to one multi-tasked on-board supervisor. Revenue Inspectors are now transitioning to this role and it is hoped that Conductors will do likewise, having been given guarantees that no jobs will be lost, so the new trains and technology can be introduced.
• To demonstrate that DOO trains can be safely operated by the driver, Southern management and representatives from the train drivers union ASLEF are testing at each station to confirm that the driver has a clear line of sight. Drivers will also be able to view the platform via their cameras as it departs from the station. Currently, Conductors who close the doors have no means to view the platform in this manner as the train departs. It is hoped that this technology will therefore improve passenger safety.
• As part of its commitment to guarantee second crew members on all DOO trains, Southern have advertised the role and received 850 enquiries within 24 hours.
• The first phase of London Bridge, and two-thirds of the new station, opened a couple of weeks ago. This is part of a £6.5bl Thameslink upgrade programme. This engineering project is coming on and this will create new platform capacity and better train organisation.

The redevelopment of London Bridge demonstrates that passenger experience can be enhanced by a management and workforce which pulls together and delivers. We would again encourage the RMT to work with Southern to draw up a list of exceptions for when a DOO train can move without a second member of crew on-board. We would also point out to the RMT, as we have done to Southern’s management, that none of this technology will be used on Southern services in our constituencies so we implore the RMT to accept the deal on the table and help deliver a better service to our constituents.

   Huw Merriman                                                                                                  Amber Rudd

MP for Bexhill and Battle                                                                       MP for Hastings and Rye