The 5:53 to Victoria this afternoon was delayed by approximately 7 minutes as a consequence of a member of staff not being available, the same reason the same service was delayed yesterday.

It was then announced that the train would run fast to Crystal Palace - next train at 6:22pm.

I alighted and saw a group of people surrounding a Southern 'Station' manager. People were generally composed albeit frustrated. When asked why it was missing out the preceding stations he stated he did not know & that decision was made by operators at Three Bridges, that it is a decision for senior managers not him. When asked why they are not available to answer the question he said there was no-one based at the station at that level. The general consensus was why he even bothered to be there

When asked about why it is the same problem, lack of staff, he did not know. There is a recurring problem and they are not addressing it.

I found his responses incredulous - they are obviously running trains in this fashion to meet their own targets, but denied it. I appreciate that this route crosses various lines so why did they cancel the West Croydon trains?