Passengers travelling on Thameslink and Great Northern trains this Saturday are being warned of significant disruptions due to a shortage of train crew.
Both train operating companies, which fall under the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) group, have announced that numerous services will be cancelled or revised throughout the day.
The companies indicated that the disruptions would continue until the end of the day, with some trains starting or terminating at alternative stations.
Passengers are being urged to factor in up to an extra 30 minutes for their journeys to account for the anticipated delays and changes. The reduced service will also affect late-night trains, particularly those to and from key airports such as Gatwick and Luton.
A GTR spokesperson explained that the cancellations were a result of a combination of factors including driver training, sickness, and annual leave.
The spokesperson said, “We’re very sorry that we’ve had cancellations to our services on Saturday. We understand this is frustrating, and we’re sorry for the disruption it is causing.”
Passengers have been advised that they may need to switch trains, wait longer for services, or even use alternative modes of transport.
To mitigate the impact, GTR has arranged for ticket acceptance on a range of other services, including Southern and London Underground trains, as well as Metrobus services running between Three Bridges, Horsham, and Redhill.
GTR has assured passengers that its journey planners are regularly updated with details of the services that are still running.
However, travellers are urged to check the latest information before setting off, particularly for those planning to use the train services to reach airports, where delays are expected to be more pronounced.
In addition to the staffing shortages, Saturday’s disruptions will be compounded by ongoing engineering works. Thameslink confirmed that various lines on the network would be closed for repairs, leading to further changes to train timetables.
Services running through London Bridge and between London Blackfriars and Three Bridges will be significantly reduced. Other routes, including those between Luton and Rainham, will operate to an amended schedule.
Thameslink also announced that from Saturday through Sunday, no trains will run to or from Sutton via Mitcham Junction due to essential track works.
These engineering closures are part of the network’s regular maintenance schedule, designed to improve long-term service reliability, but they will add to the overall disruption.
The impact on passengers is expected to be widespread, with many commuters and travellers facing alternative travel arrangements.
With the added complexity of staffing issues, GTR has been working to recruit more drivers to alleviate future disruption, though training a new driver typically takes about 18 months.
While the ongoing efforts to recruit new staff may eventually ease the burden, passengers are being asked to remain patient as the situation unfolds.
GTR has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reassured the public that they are making every effort to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
