What's it all about? - c2c writes to customers

19 June 2006

Train Operator c2c has written to all its customers on the route to explain why their services continue to be disrupted.

The problems result from the ongoing industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT). Given that so many customers are still affected by this unnecessary industrial dispute c2c felt it would be useful to summarise the key facts and remind passengers of the background to the dispute.

In 1999 c2c announced a £450 million investment in the route, which included £300 million to replace the entire fleet of trains with brand new, state of the art rolling stock which would be operated under the Driver Only Operation (DOO) system. This was with the full agreement of the RMT who have now reneged on that agreement.

c2c's letter to its customers addresses six key issues: the cause of the dispute, Driver Only Operation, safety, jobs and efforts to end the dispute.

Commenting on the decision to write to all his customers, c2c Managing Director Dominic Booth said: "We have given priority to keeping customers informed as to the services we have been able to provide. The short notice of what action the RMT would take and when caused great uncertainty among our customers and as a result we introduced a special timetable which will run until the dispute is over. We now want to dispel any myths which have been created by the RMT, and clarify for our customers the real cause of the dispute. We have nothing to hide and just want the RMT to take a responsible attitude, honour their agreement with us and bring this dispute to an end."