MP demands urgent franchise talks on First Capital Connect

Following her urgent question on First Capital Connect (FCC) last week, and the ongoing disruption to services to London, St Albans MP Anne Main has today written to the Transport Minister to request he calls urgent talks with First Capital Connect.

Following her urgent question on First Capital Connect (FCC) last week, and the ongoing disruption to services to London, St Albans MP Anne Main has today written to the Transport Minister to request he calls urgent talks with First Capital Connect.

Following her enquiries, Anne received a letter today from FCC Managing Director Mary Grant, confirming that compensation would be paid to delayed commuters according to the old timetable, but stating that the new timetable would remain in place indefinitely and that new drivers, recruited to improve services, would not be completing their training until 'spring next year'.

Anne said:

"I remain deeply concerned about the lack of direction from First Capital Connect (FCC) on this matter. It seems that the massive disruptions in services are being allowed to rumble on, potentially indefinitely, under the guise of a 'revised timetable'. I am pleased that the company has responded to my enquiries on compensation, though in my opinion they are handling relations with the travelling public very badly.

Conditions on these services have become intolerable, and to state by way of explanation that extra drivers may be available in the spring is unacceptable and is no sort of resolution. I have invited the Transport Minister to come to St Albans so he can experience the situation first hand.

It doesn't appear that FCC are meeting their franchise obligations with this revised timetable and now is the time for Transport Ministers to call the matter into the Department for urgent talks at the highest level."