Train reliability programme resumes. Commuters still reliably delayed.

FCC announced yesterday that Thameslink route customers can expect more reliable trains now that they have restarted a traction control reliability programme for its 20-year-old class 319 trains.

As per usual, FCC are quick to find blame elsewhere, and claim that the “late arrival of newly-built Electrostar trains, being introduced as part of the Thameslink Programme, had forced FCC to put the work on hold but enough are now in service on the Brighton to Bedford route for it to resume.”
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FCC go on to say….

The arrival of additional new trains as part of the Thameslink Programme also allows FCC to step up the pace of its overhaul and improvement of the existing fleet’s traction motors which is already paying dividends.

And earlier, in August, FCC was able to restart its refresh programme which gives the existing trains new and refreshed interiors and refurbished door mechanisms – another source of potential service delays (see FCC news release 14 August 2009).

FCC Engineering and New Trains Director Neal Lawson said: “I am really pleased we can get back on track with this programme for our Thameslink route fleet. This paves the way for more reliable trains and a better service for our customers.”

IhateThameslink’s response:

We welcome any improvements made to the trains especially where reliability is concerned.  However, we do not live in communist Russia, and therefore running trains that work properly should not be hailed as a major achievement.