Govia Thameslink Railway Limited (GTR) is not a “highly profitable” business (Letters, 17 July). It has made no profit since the start of the franchise in September 2014. Passenger numbers have doubled in as little as 12 years in places on our network, and our job is to modernise the railway by working with industry partners to deliver a £7bn programme of new stations, trains and additional services that passengers need and deserve.
We’re more than halfway through that journey but our progress is being impacted by trade unions opposed to a requisite part of the modernisation programme, ie changes in working practices designed to improve train throughput, reduce delays and cancellations. A large part of the service issues that have occurred are directly due to this action.
Wilma Allan
Chief financial officer, Govia Thameslink Railway
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