No trains across Kent as drivers stage fresh walkout
Southeastern are running a limited service, whilst Southern are not running any trains in Kent at all
Rail services across Kent have come to a standstill as train drivers in the ASLEF union stage fresh strike action.
The walkout is the latest in a long-running dispute over pay.
Southern are not running any train in the county.
Meanwhile Southeastern are running an hourly London-Ashford service, as well as trains from the capital to Orpington and Dartford.
The operator's Head of External Communications, Andy Commons, told Greatest Hits Radio that he shared customer's frustrations at ongoing industrial action.
"This is a dispute that is being handled at a national level, and we would echo the thoughts of our customers, which is that we'd like everybody to get back round the table, to try and come to an agreement and put these strikes behind us."
ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan told Greatest Hits Radio that the situation had not improved over the past 22 months.
"We haven't had a pay rise for half a decade, so we are still seeking a cost of living increase for train drivers."
He also accused operators of acting in "bad faith" by not allowing the unions to make pay deals with the government, and said the government were changing the terms and conditions of contracts.
"They put deals out that we'd never seen that basically rip up every agreement we have for a massive pay cut."
A DfT spokesperson said: “The Transport Secretary and Rail Minister have already facilitated a pay offer that would take train drivers’ average salaries up to £65,000 - almost twice the UK average salary.
“ASLEF are the only union left striking after the Government oversaw deals with all the other unions. Instead of causing passengers disruption, they should put this offer to their members and work with industry to end this dispute.”