Govia Thameslink Railway has announced that it will begin operating a revised timetable to manage and protect train services for key workers.
Govia Thameslink Railway operates Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express train services.
GTR will introduce a reduced service on Monday 23 March. Following this, an even further reduced timetable will be introduced on Monday 30 March.
The amended timetables will include services to suit key workers travelling in the peak as well as working early and late shifts.
From today, Friday 20th March 2020, Gatwick Express will operate as a half-hourly service in the off-peak on weekdays and at weekends.
What did the officials say?
Steve White, Chief Operating Officer, GTR, said:
“This is an unprecedented situation for everyone and we – together with the rest of the rail industry – are doing our utmost to keep an essential service running for key workers who are doing such vital jobs.
“The message from the Government is clear – travel only if you have to. The changes we are making should allow us to sustain a timetable for those who absolutely have to travel such as doctors, nurses and the emergency services. We want to thank them and our own staff, who are working so hard to keep trains running.”
Robert Nisbet, Director of Nations and Regions at the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, said: “This is not a decision we take lightly, however implementing these measures now will mean that we can continue to operate trains over a prolonged period with fewer railway workers, who like so many others are to be commended for putting the needs of the country first, and whose safety remains front of mind.”
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Hold on, the whole rail industry announced this on 20 March, GTR just went further by providing more info and being more specific. They also said the timetable coming out on 30 March would have more trains in it, not fewer, as they would put in more early and late trains for shift workers with more time to plan. This article is unfair, just kicking a traditional whipping boy when they seem to be doing everything right.
I do feel sorry for passengers using Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express services because of the Coronavirus outbreak. Plus what will happen to Govia Thameslink Railway when they do lose the TSGN (Southern, Thameslink & Great Northern) and Gatwick Express franchises next year.