Frustrated Southern Rail passengers plan to charter their own 670 commuter train to avoid strikes
Industrial action has been announced for a six-week period ovcr the Christmas and New Year period but private train tickets could cost £50 for a return
FED-UP Southern Rail passengers are planning to charter their own train to London after further industrial action was announced.
The strikes are due to take place over a six week period covering Christmas and New Year but a private train won’t come cheap.
reports that Commuters from the Reigate, Redhill and District Rail Users Association will have to find £35,000 to cover the costs of the journey to London.
The figures suggest it will cost a hefty £50 for a return journey from Surrey to London if the train holds 670 passengers.
However, the travel experience would be much more pleasant that the often overcrowded Southern trains as hire company the Train Chartering Corporation will not sell tickets for standing passengers.
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Southern staff have planned a three-day walkout next week and another six-day stoppage in January bringing all Southern's services to a halt and leaving 300,000 passengers in the lurch.
Stephen Trigg, chairman of the commuters’ group, said there were “obstacles” in chartering a train, including “finding a driver”.
He added that he was forced to give up his job in London because of the rail company.
He said: “I gave up my job in London, totally because of the travel problems. I just did not have a life.
“I spent more than two hours getting to work and two and a half getting back. I just didn't know each day whether I would get home.”
On Thursday two people were arrested and one injured amid chaotic scenes at Victoria Station following another announcement of train delays.
Furious passengers chanted “train, train, train” and witnesses reported a brawl breaking out as hundreds of commuters were left stranded on the platform.
London's Mayor Sadiq Khan has accused the Government of “abandoning” Southern passengers, saying the ongoing chaos was a “total disgrace”.
The travel disruption has been so bad that some cancer patients have had to stop being treated as they can no longer make their appointments at London hospitals.
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