Hendon and Finchley MPs sign Early Day Motion over Thameslink (From Times Series)

MPs join calls to strip train firm of franchise

6:40pm Tuesday 26th January 2010

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THE MPs for Hendon and Finchley have put their names to a motion in the House of Commons calling for First Capital Connect to be stripped of its franchise for a “gross lack of competence”.

The Early Day Motion, signed by 16 MPs including Andrew Dismore and Rudi Vis, calls on Transport Secretary Lord Adonis to take the Thameslink service away from FCC.

Commuters have faced severe delays for months after a drivers' strike over pay, which exposed the fact the company relied on drivers to voluntarily work on weekends.

Mr Dismore said: “This is no way to run a railway. They were relying on staff voluntarily working overtime on weekends, but got found out.

“Some of the drivers are on £50,000 or more a year because of the overtime, their basic salary is £38,000.

“These delays have gone on too long. It's been a real shambles and frankly I think the time has come to pull the plug on them for under performance.”

Mr Dismore also criticised the company for failing to finalise a compensation deal for commuters, many of who face overcrowded and delayed trains as part of the everyday service.

The wording of the motion, put forward by Lib Dem MP Paul Burstow accuses the company of “mismanagement” of its drivers, and raises concerns about commuters “ having to find alternate routes into work and school, adding considerable time and expense to their daily journeys”.

More than 4,700 people have also signed a petition on the Downing Street website to end the franchise, while 2,000 people have joined a Facebook group called I Hate First Capital Connect.

On Thursday commuters will have the chance to quiz managers for the company on services at St Pancras Station between 4pm-7pm.