A COMMUTERS’ group seeking a judicial review of the Government’s handling of Southern Railway has secured a date for a court hearing to press its case.
The Association of British Commuters (ABC) will attend a so-called public permission hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on June 29 – the same day an overtime ban by Southern drivers starts in a dispute about driver-only operation.
A judge initially refused the Association of British Commuters’ (ABC) application, four months after it was submitted in February.
The group then called for a panel of judges to hear its case. It is the first time the details of the campaign for Southern commuters will be heard.
Campaigners believe the case, which claims discrimination against disabled passengers and accuses the Department for Transport (DfT) of taking too long to solve problems on Southern, could be the “gateway” to permanent changes to the country’s rail network.
Co-founder Emily Yates said: “This case has already been delayed beyond any of our expectations and it is now long past time for us to meet the DfT in court. The irony is that our case has only got stronger in the four and a half months it has been under consideration.”
The move is supported by Transport for All, which campaigns for the right of disabled and elderly people to travel. The charity’s campaign officer Catherine Smith said this was a “fantastic opportunity” to make sure disabled people’s voices are heard and railways are accessible to everyone.
GTR said: “We take our responsibilities incredibly seriously, in particular disabled customers. We now have more staff assigned to work on our trains than we did before who can assist.”
He said the company was “still in transition” for improving the network but passengers were starting to see results. The DfT said it could not comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.
ABC launched a second crowdfunding campaign to pay for ongoing legal fees.
So far about £1,400 of a £15,000 target has been raised.
To supoort it, visit crowdjustice.com/case/southernfail/
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