Government warns under-fire First Capital Connect to get back on track (From Streatham Guardian)

Government warns under-fire First Capital Connect to get back on track

10:50am Tuesday 19th January 2010

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An off-the-rails train operator has been warned by the Government to get back on track or risk losing its franchise.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has told First Capital Connect (FCC) the current problems experienced by passengers on Thameslink are unacceptable and improvements are expected if the rail operator wants to continue running the franchise.

FCC has come under criticism in recent months after a string of problems left passengers using the Thameslink with a sub-standard service.

First a pay dispute with its drivers, then problems with snow, left virtually no trains running.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Streatham, Chris Nicholson, and Labour candidate Chuka Umunna warned the Department for Transport about the situation.

Mr Umunna also raised the issue with ministers.

Residents are also furious with the situation.

Tulse Hill resident Kita Ogden said: "I am completely fed up. It has got so bad now that when I try to get a bus from Tulse Hill station there are so many people that the bus drivers no longer stop. What are we supposed to do to get to work?"

A FCC spokesman apologised for the disruption to the service and said a full timetable would be running this week - however further disruptions have been reported by residents.

The spokesman said union members had accepted a revised pay offer and an improved compensation package was being drawn up for passengers affected by the loss of service that would be issued to customers in coming weeks.

The FCC franchise is set to be reviewed in 2012.

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