A LOCAL passenger watchdog believes the future of South Western Railway (SWR) is in jeopardy as the company tries to renegotiate its contract with the Department of Transport (DfT).

As passengers suffered a third 24-hour strike over the role of guards on Tuesday (July 31) and with more walkouts planned for the next three Saturdays, Alton Line Users Association (ALUA) has added its voice to a growing volume of concern over the future of the SWR franchise, awarded to First MTR in August last year.

Under the deal First MTR promised investment, aimed at reducing the average age of the fleet of SWR trains by half by the end of 2020 and providing 46 per cent more peak capacity routes. But since receiving the contract, services have been marred by a series of cancellations, delays and industrial action by RMT union members who, despite assurances from SWR that guards would be maintained, have been fighting the fear of driver only operation on the trains.

In a statement ALUA said: “Punctuality has fallen considerably since First MTR took over the running of trains in our area and there has been a significant fall in passenger numbers, which must be adding to road congestion and pollution.”

And whilst supporting the need for a second member of staff on trains, ALUA has no truck with the RMT strikes, adding: “Railway staff are letting down their customers in a dispute about who should open train doors when trains enabling driver operation of doors do not exist on our services.”

SWR has said it is doing everything it can to minimise disruption.