Govia Thameslink timetable 'threatened mental health of passengers'

Timetabling chaos on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) last May threatened the mental health and safety of passengers according to a government investigation.

The Commons Transport Committee has revealed that the £7 billion Thameslink project, aimed at introducing more trains across Kent, Sussex and Surrey, was four times the scale of a typical six-monthly timetable change.

MPs say: “Businesses and local economies suffered, children were late for school and anxiety about getting to and from work put a considerable strain on people’s mental health. The situation was chaotic.”

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has ordered a major review of the industry. He is amongst those blamed by the government who has said he “should have been more proactive.”

MPs say that in future there must be a person or body in control, saying “rail timetabling requires genuinely independent oversight.”

GTR will make no profit this year and have been ordered by the government to pay £15 million in service improvements.