Train driver explains how person he replaced sparked service delay

‘I bet nobody’s kicking himself more than he is – tut tut tut’: Hilarious moment train driver explains how person he replaced had a ‘misdemeanour’ that sparked 20-minute delay to service amid rail chaos

• Southern Rail train was delayed after a driver was banned over a ‘misdemeanour’
• The replacement driver detailed his colleague’s troubles on the coach intercom 
• Do you know the ‘spare’ driver? Email [email protected] 

A train driver has revealed how the staffer he replaced caused a 20-minute delay to service after having a ‘misdemeanour’ that resulted in him being banned from driving.

Hilarious video shared yesterday shows how the driver – calling himself the ‘spare person’ – detailed his colleague’s troubles and his hectic rush to the train station over the coach’s PA system.

The spare revealed how he had to take the underground from London Victoria to London Bridge after bosses determined the original driver was ‘not allowed to drive’. 

‘I do apologise for the misdemeanour that the original driver had earlier this afternoon,’ he told the passengers. ‘I bet nobody’s kicking himself more than he is…tut tut tut.’

The delay comes amid Aslef’s week-long ban on overtime that has sparked chaos for commuters. The train drivers’ union has announced it will be imposing an additional overtime ban later this month.

In a hilarious video shared online yesterday, a train driver has revealed how the staffer he replaced caused a 20-minute delay to service after having a ‘misdemeanour’ resulted in him being banned from driving

The spare driver apologised for ‘ the misdemeanour that the original driver had earlier this afternoon’ and said: ‘I bet nobody’s kicking himself more than he is…tut tut tut’. It is understood that the incident impacted a Southern Rail train from London Bridge (stock photo)

Tom Hourigan, who shared the video with MailOnline, said on Twitter that he was travelling on a delayed Southern Rail operated coach yesterday when the replacement driver gave the ‘best explanation’ for train delay that ‘I have ever heard’.

‘[The original driver] had a misdemeanour earlier this afternoon and therefore is not allowed to drive at the moment,’ the so-called spare announced over the intercom.

‘Unfortunately, I am what is called the spare person. I’ve had to make my way to London Bridge from London Victoria but only since half past four, so it’s taken a little while on the underground to get across.

‘Then once they made up their mind on what they’re doing with the train, ultimately running fast to Crystal Palace.’

The spare reiterated that the driver’s actions were the ‘reason’ for the delay and apologised for how his misdemeanour has impacted their travels.

He added: ‘Apologies that your train is some 20-minutes late. First stop Crystal Palace where we should make up about six of those minutes.  

‘Onwards and upwards, get you to where you need to go eventually.’

Mr Hourigan claims the driver, ‘like a radio presenter skilfully teasing a song before the commercial break’, promised passengers a ‘full rundown of the shenanigans’ after the coach departed. It is unclear if this anecdote ever came to fruition.

MailOnline has approached Southern Rail for comment. 

The train drivers’ union has imposed another week-long ban on overtime, sparking further chaos for commuters across the country 

Train companies have been live tweeting updates this morning as routes are impacted by Aslef strike action

The hilarious video is circulating social media as commuters feel the impacts of Aslef’s long running dispute over pay.

The train drivers’ union has announced that its members at 15 train operators will refuse to work overtime from July 17 to 22. This follows the week-long ban that began yesterday and continues until Saturday.

Mick Whelan, the union’s general secretary, said drivers ‘don’t want to be inconveniencing the public’ and have called on the Government to find a way ‘to resolve this dispute’.

But furious travellers trying to plan their morning commutes have blasted the train companies on Twitter for not knowing which routes will be cancelled today.

Operators have told commuters they ‘cannot say for sure at the moment’ which routes will be disrupted, reiterating that the firms also have ‘limited information’. 

Train companies have been live tweeting updates this morning as routes are impacted by Aslef’s strike action.

But social media users are frustrated by the frequent changes and companies’ inability to confirm which routes are operating normally.

Sarah Cook, who is trying to get to Barnham today, claims Southern Rail’s website indicated her journey ‘may be disrupted’ today.

When she asked the firm about it online, a staff member told her: ‘I can’t say for sure at the moment if this service will be cancelled. All services along the West Coast are disrupted at this time, so I can only advise to check back.’

Frustrated commuter Sarah Cook has branded the situation as ‘absolutely outrageous’ 

When one traveller questioned if her route was disrupted, Southern Rail told her the service was ‘expected to run albeit delayed’

Meanwhile, Debbie criticised Cross Country after she arrived at the station in Southampton to learn her train to Manchester had been cancelled

Ms Cook pressed further, asking Southern Rail when she could expect an update.

The company replied: ‘As soon as services have been confirmed as running, altered, or cancelled, they will be updated to journey planners – currently on a train by train basis.’

However, the commuter – acknowledging that the company is ‘running on limited information’ – is now branding the situation as ‘absolutely outrageous’ after she turned up for her ‘on-time’ train only to have it cancelled a ‘minute before departure’.

Ms Cook says she ‘followed advice of checking journey planners’ and that her train was scheduled to be on time.

When Emily Angus, who was planning to travel to Brighton on Southern Rail today, questioned if her route was disrupted, the company told her the service was ‘expected to run albeit delayed’.

She further pressed, asking about the chances of cancellation, and was told: ‘I cannot say for certain, I’m afraid.’

Meanwhile, Debbie, hit back at Cross Country after she arrived at the station in Southampton to learn her train to Manchester had been cancelled.

The withdrawal of non-contractual overtime, or rest day working, will affect Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; Cross Country; East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia; Great Western Railway; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; Island Line; LNER; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway main line; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains. 

The withdrawal of non-contractual overtime, or rest day working, will affect Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; Cross Country; East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia; Great Western Railway; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; Island Line; LNER; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway main line; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains

Mr Whelan said: ‘We want to resolve this dispute. Train drivers don’t want to be inconveniencing the public.

‘That’s why we have given the Government and the rail operators plenty of opportunities to come to the table and talk to us, but it is clear that they do not want a resolution.

‘Our members – the train drivers who keep the railway running day in, day out, from early in the morning until late at night, all the year round – have shown they are not prepared to accept the Government’s attempts to force our industry into managed decline.

‘Rail travel is a vital part of our country’s fight against climate change and rail connectivity is essential to the UK economy.

‘That’s why it’s time for a fair deal and a sensible resolution so we can grow and improve our railways for the future.’

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘Calling a ban on overtime the same week that RMT is striking will impact families at the beginning of the summer holidays and those planning on attending the Ashes, representing a co-ordinated effort by both unions to prolong the disruption.

‘The Government has played its part to try and end this dispute by facilitating a fair and reasonable pay offer that would see train drivers’ already high salaries increase from an average of £60,000 to £65,000. Aslef now needs to do the right thing and put the offer to its members for a vote.’

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