Moment angry Southern Rail passengers confront firm’s boss at London Victoria station
Fuming commuters blast chief exec for "appalling" service
FUMING commuters blasted the beleaguered boss of "appalling" rail operator Southern after suffering months of train delays.
Charles Horton, the CEO of Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink, faced anger from passengers this morning at an event at London Victoria station.
Diana Vetesse was one of the commuters to confront Mr Horton, complaining that delays to the service had meant she once missed her son's Nativity play.
The 52-year-old, from Billingshurst, West Sussex, said: "I'm generally frustrated and I was saying there's an occasion where I did not manage to get home.
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"They were very nice (at the event) and actually for me the trains have been working better but overall I think it's appalling."
"We are paying so much for tickets and it's so unreliable."
Passengers have endured relentless disruption on Southern routes, which include lines between London and the South Coast, East and West Sussex, and Surrey.
Mr Horton has come under pressure from MPs and met with new rail minister Paul Maynard to discuss the issues on Monday.
Mr Horton said passengers at Thursday's event had been "very honest" and he had apologised to many of them.
He said: "They reflected their frustration with the service over the last few weeks.
"Our customers are very honest, very reasonable and very patient."