I would like to draw to your attention to important changes to First Capital Connect train services in the regular winter timetable change of 13 December. But first, may I please offer a sincere apology for the reduced service that continues today on our

I would like to draw to your attention to important changes to First Capital Connect train services in the regular winter timetable change of 13 December.

But first, may I please offer a sincere apology for the reduced service that continues today on our Bedford to Brighton Thameslink route. After negotiations with Aslef, we have made a revised pay offer. This was to be formally discussed at the Aslef executive meeting on Tuesday this week (8 December) at which, we understand, the offer will be recommended for acceptance. We anticipate our individual drivers will start to return to working rest days and overtime as details of the pay offer are communicated. A full update will be provided as soon as possible.

Assuming the driver issue is resolved, then from the introduction of the new December timetable we will be adding a new 06:18 Bedford to Sutton weekday service calling at Leagrave, Luton, Luton Airport Parkway, Harpenden, St. Albans, West Hampstead, St Pancras and all stations to Sutton via Mitcham Junction.

An additional 1844 Elephant & Castle to St Albans service will also be introduced calling at Blackfriars (1848), City Thameslink (1850), Farringdon (1853), St Pancras (1858), then all stations to St Albans (1933). However, the Brighton to Bedford First Capital Connect service that currently calls at London Bridge at 1642 will have to take a different route through Elephant & Castle and will no longer be able to call at London Bridge.

This rerouting of the London Bridge service is a direct result of a new and improved Southeastern timetable which means there will be less space at London Bridge for First Capital Connect trains. This change is driven by the Department for Transport (DfT) to best meet overall passenger demand. The DfT is funding the �5.5bn Thameslink Programme which in the future will open up London Bridge to many more Thameslink route services. Customers affected by the change at London Bridge can use their ticket on any reasonable London Underground route to King's Cross St Pancras on the Northern Line or to West Hampstead on the Jubilee line, where they can connect with an FCC service. This is provided the route is not shown as 'First Capital Connect' or 'FCC only' or 'Not Underground'.

There are other minor changes to the timetable. This can be checked on-line at www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/dec09timetable, or in timetables stocked at staffed stations.

Kind regards,

Roger

Roger Perkins

First Capital Connect