Downing Street warns Southern Railways that it could face the boot unless it sees improvements to services which are crippling commuters
No.10 said all options were on the table over the misery faced by passengers
DOWNING STREET has warned Southern Railways that it could face the boot unless services improve.
No.10 said all options were on the table over the misery faced by passengers.
A PM’s official spokesman said: “These things are kept under constant review and those companies that do not perform face the consequences.”
He insisted there were no current plans for Ministers to take direct control of services across the south-east of England.
But sources confirmed the Government was studying options ahead of a ruling over whether Southern breached its contract last year.
Southern claims it was unable to run an adequate service last year because of ‘force majeure’ – the wave of industrial action out of its control.
The Department is due to give a ruling in a matter of days.
One source said: “There could be a fine or Southern may lose the franchise. All options are being looked at. But we don’t yet know.”
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Insiders on Wednesday night claimed Ministers were considering temporary re-nationalisation of the Southern Rail network to counter crippling delays and cancellations.
MPs urged Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to act.
Chris Philp, MP for Croydon, said: “It is an abysmal service that has inflicted misery on constituents.
But Conservative veteran Crispin Blunt said: “It’s difficult to see how it would improve matters except, perhaps, by making customers feel happier for a day or two.”
One source said they believed the RMT was behind the speculation. A small number of the unions’ members went on strike on Wednesday and will walk out again on Friday.