Travellers caught in the middle of a dispute between First Capital Connect and its drivers have told of their frustration.

Since being offered a pay deal which included a zero rise for next year, drivers have been refusing to work the overtime necessary keep services running smoothly. Their union Aslef is now balloting its 550 members for an all-out strike.

This week, FCC responded by introducing a significantly reduced timetable on the Thameslink route.

And meanwhile Southern warned travellers with FCC-only tickets bought after Saturday they would be fined £20 if caught on its trains.

Yesterday, we spoke to commuters Kevin Smith, 29, from Hove, Anna Carr, 29, from Hove, Tracey Hill, a 39-yearold market researcher from Brighton Sophie Womersley, a 26-year-old library assistant from Brighton and Jackie Hayes, 34, from Brighton.

Here’s what they had to say:

Meanwhile, commuter Cara Courage, 34, kept a record for The Argus of her week travelling on the First Capital Connect Thameslink route.

She said: “I travel twice a week from Brighton to Farringdon where I work as head of learning for Architecture Centre Network.

I use the train every day though as I also work as the cultural coordinator for the Universities of Brighton and Sussex.

I’ve been a Brighton to London commuter on and off for the past 12 years.

I travel with First Capital Connect to get to Farringdon and while I have never had a problem with the staff or train drivers, overall using this service is dispiriting and exhausting.

The old rolling stock with its pain-inducing, uncomfortable and un-ergonomic seating should be scrapped and we are paying through the nose for a service where seats are usually only available from Brighton in the morning and from East Croydon in the evening.

Talking to other commuters, there is sympathy with the train drivers. Any anger is expressed in the direction of the FCC management, not the staff. My usual train in the morning is the 7.24am.

I get there early to be able to secure a seat and I must admit when they borrow trains from Southern, my heart skips a beat. Comfortable seats, tables, what luxury.

This week, travelling on Tuesday and Friday, I have been at the station especially early in case I can’t board at all – it’s happened before.

Thursday evening I inquired about services the next day and was told by staff at the station, the same information given on a station announcement and on the BBC, that trains would be running on a reduced service.

Not at normal times but on the hour and at half past. I’m grateful I got there in good time as the 7.24 left on time but almost empty, a mix of people working from home that day, perhaps, as much as the misinformation given out the day before.

My train home leaves Farringdon at 5.39pm. It’s always a scramble to get a seat and Friday was no different.

This train was running late through London and I gather that trains running after this were either cancelled or badly disrupted.

All credit to the driver, we made up time and got in just ten minutes late and he kept us informed of progress all along the journey.

Oddly, this week hasn’t been as bad as I expected or as bad as normal. The service run by FCC is constantly underperforming.

My train never gets me in to London on time, often runs with short trains so pressure on seating and standing space is under ever-more pressure while first class remains empty. The old carriages are scruffy, cold and uncomfortable.

I see a workforce battling against the management odds, trying to do their job and be paid for it but a company that would appear to have little regard for the people that keep the service running – its staff and customers.

The former not being paid enough, the latter paying too much.

One just has to look at the #firstcapitalconnect thread on Twitter to see the results of this lack of care.

I’ve changed my days working in London next week to hopefully avoid any severe disruption.

I’m thankful for an understanding boss.

I have a meeting on Tuesday that I must get to on time so figure I’ll leave extra early to factor in any delays or cancellations.

The thought of prolonged strike action fills me with dread. However much I support the cause, it's bad enough having to use FCC as it is without the extra stress of having to accommodate strike action and misinformation in my working week.

Passengers are encouraged to check www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk for the latest information before travelling.