Thameslink has said they are “very sorry” they have had to reduce rail services – causing major disruption for many travelling out of Bedford over the New Year’s Eve weekend.
A spokesperson for the company said it was due to, “train crew shortages, with winter illnesses having a particular impact.”
A Bedford Independent reader said the short notice announcement of these delays, “is a perfect example of everything wrong with customer comms on the UK rail network.”
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Mike Wooldridge added, “I don’t believe that TL [Thameslink] didn’t know staff availability more than a day ahead to the extent that they’ve basically cancelled NYE for anyone hoping to get back to eg Bedford after midnight.”
This is a perfect example of everything wrong with customer comms on the UK rail network. I don’t believe that TL didn’t know staff availability more than a day ahead to the extent that they’ve basically cancelled NYE for anyone hoping to get back to eg Bedford after midnight. https://t.co/uC0JcLHtPv
— Mike Wooldridge (@mdw1989) December 29, 2023
Tomorrow, (Saturday) 30 December, Bedfordians planning on travelling on Thameslink trains are warned to expect cancellations and check before they travel.
There will be trains in the morning of Sunday, 31 December. But, there will be a significantly reduced service on Thameslink north of London and south to Brighton in the afternoon and evening
There will also be no Thameslink trains across the network at all overnight.
Sutton, Rainham and Sevenoaks Thameslink trains will continue to run. Southern and Gatwick Express trains are not affected and Gatwick Airport will continue to be served.
Customers for Luton Airport can use EMR trains and Luton Express, although these finish earlier on Sunday.
Jenny Saunders, customer services director at Govia Thameslink said: “We’re very sorry that we’ve had to alter and reduce our service this weekend. As with train companies in other parts of the country, this is because of train crew shortages, with winter illnesses having a particular impact.
“We’re doing our best to limit the impact and spread services but, regrettably, we strongly advise passengers to check their journeys before setting out. On Sunday, the service will be particularly affected in the afternoon with no Thameslink trains overnight.”
Ticket acceptance is being arranged across other transport modes and routes. Passengers can claim for Delay Repay compensation if their journeys are delayed by 15 minutes or more. See thameslinkrailway.com for details.
