Thread by @NetworkRailSE

We’re so sorry for the disruption to all our passengers’ journeys this week while the #RailStrike continues. Here’s our boss John and a short thread about why the impact is so great: /1

On Sussex Route, we need 138 operational staff to run trains every 24 hours. On Kent Route, that number is 125 staff, over 53 locations. We have contingency staff trained for this but they only make up 33 of those roles in Sussex and around a quarter of the jobs in Kent /2

We will not compromise of safety and those contingency staff are managers trained to the same high standards as we expect of our front-line colleagues. We have focussed them on the routes that serve the most customers and freight and that can be safely operated. /3

In Sussex we’re prioritising the passenger routes from Brighton and Gatwick into London Bridge and London Victoria, and within the London area from Epsom Downs, Sutton, West Croydon and Crystal Palace into London.
southernrailway.com/travel-informa…
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In Kent route we are prioritising the Orpington – London, Ashford – London High Speed Services, and Dartford – London (North Kent, Bexleyheath, Hither Green) lines, as our train operators can carry the maximum number of passengers on those routes.
southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-informa…
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The other routes in both areas require too many staff to operate to do so safely, and it means many stations will be closed. For that reason, our advice is to only travel if you have to and to check your journeys carefully. /6

To note in East Kent: owing to issues staffing our electrical control room and safety checks that have to happen, there will be a late start for trains on routes in that area tomorrow (Wednesday). See this thread:

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailSE/status/1538905629955342338?s=20&t=JpEVThWNF5dgPgZPeMXEhw

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For more information please check with your operators and again, please accept our apologies for this disruption. /Ends