![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/rail-boss-apologises-for-recent-disruption/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AA13Jc2s.jpeg&description=The boss of the rail operator that runs Avanti West Coast and Transpennine Express has apologised for the disruption to services experienced by passengers in recent months. © BBC Steve Montgomery, managing director of First Rail, told the BBC the issues had been caused by a backlog of driver training during the pandemic. He said that because of sickness levels and drivers not working overtime, the company was not able to fill the gaps."We apologise to customers," he said.He added: "We understand the inconvenience this is causing people in their day to day lives. And it is something that we are trying to correct at this moment in time."Passengers have been enduring a prolonged period of disruption on the rail network. Avanti West Coast and Transpennine Express have come in for particular criticism for reduced timetables and cancellations.Avanti West Coast slashed its timetables in August, with trains between London and Manchester the worst affected.The operator cut its timetable from seven trains per hour to a minimum of four on 14 August and suspended ticket sales, blaming "severe staff shortages". Asked if he would acknowledge the situation across the North of England had not been good enough, Mr Montgomery said: "I do acknowledge it, because we're cancelling too many trains" and said he understood customers' frustration.He said the operator employed "more than enough drivers", but needed to catch up on their training after the pandemic. It takes 12 to 18 months for a driver to qualify. Reliance on rest day or overtime working to fulfil timetables has been common practice in the rail industry for years.Avanti said drivers suddenly stopped volunteering for overtime in the summer, prompting it to cut its timetable to reduce cancellations.At the time, the drivers' union Aslef denied accusations of unofficial strike action and said the company should employ enough staff - but it acknowledged there had been a loss of goodwill.Avanti is now slowly building back services){kind=link}
The boss of the rail operator that runs Avanti West Coast and Transpennine Express has apologised for the disruption to services experienced by passengers in recent months.
Steve Montgomery, managing director of First Rail, told the BBC the issues had been caused by a backlog of driver training during the pandemic.
He said that because of sickness levels and drivers not working overtime, the company was not able to fill the gaps.
“We apologise to customers,” he said.
He added: “We understand the inconvenience this is causing people in their day to day lives. And it is something that we are trying to correct at this moment in time.”