Southern Rail passengers try to charter their own train to avoid more delays and strikes
Stranded commuters "have to had to quit their jobs" because strikes and shoddy service meant they couldn't get to work
FED up Southern Rail passengers tried chartering their own TRAIN to avoid being stranded during the ongoing strike action.
Some commuters living in Redhill, Surrey, have allegedly had to quit their jobs because of Southern's shoddy services and repeated strikes.
Have you had to quit your job because of the Southern strikes? Call the news desk on 0207 782 4368 or email thomas.gillespie@news.co.uk
Train drivers who are members of the RMT union have been striking since April in a bitter dispute over plans for driver-only trains.
Southern services came to a standstill yesterday and are still out action today as members of the Aslef union stage a walkout.
They will strike again Friday.
Passengers responded by looking into chartering their own train to run from Redhill, Surrey, into London - a route that is among the most heavily affected.
Sara Pont is on the committee for the Reigate, Redhill and District Rail Users' Association which met with the Train Chartering Company (TCC) in a bid to end commuters' suffering.
She said: "Passengers are at the end of their tethers.
"People are quitting jobs because they can't get to work.
"They're not seeing their children because they get home so late.
"It's every single day. It grinds you down."
Sara, from Redhill, Surrey, added: "I didn't even know it was possible to charter a train but one of the committee members found out about it.
"It would have cost a bit more than a normal ticket, about £50 per person, and we would only have been insured to sell seated tickets not standing ones, but it would have been a stress-free way of getting to London and back."
The plans have been stopped because TCC was unable to find drivers or get rolling stock from Southern's owners - Govia Thameslink Railway.
Sara, 35, said: "We were really hoping we could make this work.
"It's very frustrating."
The group is now looking for alternative solutions such as chartering a coach.
This week Southern warned passengers not to attempt to travel on its network as all services are cancelled today and Friday.
Talks are being held today between Southern, Aslef, and RMT members as they seek to bring about a resolution.
Trade union RMT has asked the Office of Road and Rail to investigate claims Southern cancelled 90 per cent of south coast services over the weekend due to "staff shortages" when there were train crew available.
A peak time day return ticket from Redhill to London Victoria normally costs £21.20.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368