'WHEN IS THE MISERY GOING TO END?'
Furious commuters condemn Southern Rail strikes as ‘beyond a joke’ as they endure another day of cancelled trains and overcrowded stations
FURIOUS commuters have condemned the Southern Rail strikes as "beyond a joke" as they endure yet another day of cancelled trains and overcrowded stations.
It's the second of a three-day walkout staged by union members this week in a long-running bitter dispute over driver-only trains.
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Virtually none of Southern's 2,200 daily services were operating, leaving hundreds of thousands of people unable to get to work again.
The latest strike ends at midnight but more action has been called for Friday as well as January 24, 25, and 27.
Commuters have been out in force on social media, sharing pictures of the massive queues for free buses laid on by the network and "carnage" at alternative stations.
West Croydon, which also operates London Overground and Tramlink services, was one of the the worst affected stations on the second day of action today.
Becky Handy shared a picture of a packed crowd on Twitter this morning, adding: "This photo doesn't do justice to the carnage at #WestCroydon station. When is this misery going to end?"
Kate Goldsmith tweeted: "West Croydon station is inaccessible, this is beyond a joke, alternate travel routes are impossible on strike days."
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It's the third day of misery for London commuters after Tube staff went on strike for 24 hours from Sunday evening, forcing passengers onto buses and overground services on Monday.
The Underground network has been crippled in the days after the strike with Southern commuters forced onto packed tubes, Overground services and South West trains.
A handful of trains from Brighton to London were laid on this morning - driven by driver-managers - and eight driver-only trains operated in each direction between Caterham and the capital.
Buses and coaches were laid on but 300,000 of Southern's passengers were still affected, following months of disruption because of industrial action, staff shortages and other problems.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said: "We greatly regret the industrial action. We don't want to inconvenience passengers, nor do our members want to lose money, because we want to help build a better railway for Britain.
"But we have been forced to go on strike by an intransigent management that has not been prepared to negotiate with us.
"Southern are bullies. Throughout this dispute, from when they first announced their intentions 10 months ago, they have tried to force through changes in the terms and conditions of staff by tearing up agreements rather than by negotiating.
"In contrast, we stick to deals we have made and have always been willing to negotiate when someone shows goodwill. That is how we managed to strike a deal last year with ScotRail which works well for the company, the passengers and the staff."
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On top of the three days of strikes, Southern and Gatwick Express services will be severely disrupted every day until further notice due to the overtime ban.
Angie Doll, Southern's passenger service director, said: "Once again, we wish to remind our passengers not to attempt to travel unless it is absolutely necessary on this week's strike days.
Have you been affected by the Southern strikes today? We'd like to hear from you and get any pictures from the journey - email gemma.mullin@mcb777.fun
"There will also be significant disruption and hardship on the days Aslef is not on strike because of their overtime ban, especially on Thursday when trains will be out of position because of the strikes on each day either side.
"We are deeply sorry for the unnecessary and unwarranted disruption this dispute is causing.
"The unions' response is utterly disproportionate, causing misery to 300,000 passengers a day across the South East and untold damage to the regional economy."
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It is understood there were limited trains running between Caterham and Victoria in London.
Aslef members will also strike on January 24, 25 and 27.
Mr Whelan said yesterday: "We are taking a longer term view of this trade dispute.
"The company has not been prepared to move - it is simply going through the motions, turning up at Acas and telling us that it intends to impose driver-only operation.
"We remain committed to a negotiated settlement, as was reached with ScotRail, but it is difficult to negotiate with people who are not prepared to be flexible."
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It is estimated around 300,000 Southern Rail commuters could be impacted by the strikes.
Twitter user Russell Hawkins said: "Southern offer a terrible service & yet fares have gone up again over inflation. We, the commuter have had enough! Sort it out."
Chris Joyce said: "These constant strikes over little, petty differences are a complete shambles.
"Pure selfishness of the highest form."
Another Stephen Tell said: "The depressing thing about the #southernstrike is how little incentive anyone has to sort it out."
Southern is providing limited bus links to London from stations including Eastbourne, Bexhill, Uckfield, Oxted, East Grinstead, Horsham, Tattenham Corner and Chichester.
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Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Arriva Rail North will start voting on Tuesday whether to strike over pay, with the result due later this month..
British Airways cabin crew are on strike from today for 48 hours in a row over pay, although the airline said its customers will be able to fly to their destinations.
A small number of Heathrow flights will be "merged", but BA said all flights to and from Gatwick and London City airports will operate as normal.
A new report by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) claims Southern Rail's plan for drivers to take over operation of train doors from conductors is a "safe method of working".
But RMT general secretary Mick Cash branded the report a "whitewash" and the ORR as "nothing more than an arm of Government".
More information on the Southern strikes can be found on its .
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