It would be an understatement to say that Govia Thameslink has a terrible rep. And the introduction of new timetable back in May hasn't improved things. But what to do when the franchise's laughably common delays, cancellations, and overcrowding gets too much? You get tweeting, of course.
While you're working your way through our favourite angry Thameslink tweets, just spare a thought for Kim, Neil, Alex, and all the other poor sods who clearly did something wrong in a past life to end up manning Thameslink's Twitter desk.
Thameslink commuters aren't exactly thrilled right now
@TLRailUK To whom it may concern, your service is an absolute shambles and a national embarrassment. We are the laughing stock of the world thanks to your incompetence. #thameslink
— Mark Holmes (@ML_Holmes) August 15, 2018
@TLRailUK kicked out of 1st class seats for them now to be empty, and having to stand. The answer was apparently buying a ticket doesn’t guarantee you a seat. £6,000 a year, cheers #thameslink top service pic.twitter.com/LM2taFDWcE
— Jamie Simmons (@Jamies1104) August 20, 2018
Really? After all this chaos you are STILL cancelling trains due to a “temporary shortage of staff”. There can be no excuse now. Off with their franchise. #thameslink @TLRailUK pic.twitter.com/fUPmyKDJBx
— Richard Holmes #FBPE (@BigRichFilms) August 20, 2018
They're armed with memes...
#GISUPERCAMP2018 When you have to take a thameslink train and you can't be late pic.twitter.com/4IbC7FI2VW
— Reade Mullen (@reade_mullen) August 13, 2018
Choosing to catch Thameslink like pic.twitter.com/jFwoZsQTEW
— Moleman978 🏳️🌈 (@Moleman978) August 13, 2018
...Career advice
Hey @TLRailUK maybe operating a train service is just not the right career for you? I mean, try running a swimming school for ducks, operating a whelk stall etc and work your way up bit by bit? I’m not sure you’re cut out for this...🤷🏽♂️ @notthameslink @ihatethameslink pic.twitter.com/aVgfGoCWzF
— Suman (@A_Holmesian) July 30, 2018
...And sarky comments
Could this be an early prototype poster for the #thameslink service? pic.twitter.com/GQjiskEb26
— Andi Cohen (@se1andi) August 11, 2018
Or the desperate one. I wouldn't mind checking these out after an average day on #thameslink https://t.co/QjKcOr6o9s
— Victorian House (@18ClarendonSq) August 17, 2018
I do wish #Thameslink were as assiduous at employing adequate staff numbers to enable them to run trains, as they are at running entirely superfluous announcements every two minutes.
— David Jones (@schnuckster) August 20, 2018
Even Mary Beard is getting involved
Blimey. I am on the way to the station in cab to catch a train that turns out to have been cancelled. On the radio, an advert to come Cambridge by train. They’ve got a nerve. @TLRailUK How often does Cam to Brighton service actually run?
— mary beard (@wmarybeard) August 21, 2018
So @TLRailUK the home I tried to take with you was also cancelled. 15.16 from London Bridge. If you can’t run the service don’t advertise it!
— mary beard (@wmarybeard) August 21, 2018
Twitter is having none of Thamelink's excuses
"due to awaiting train crew". Did they make the mistake of trying to use #Thameslink to get there? #ThisHasGotToStop.
— Bedford Rail Campaigners (@RailBedford) August 15, 2018
This one went down like a lead balloon
Thought I’d heard it all 😂 a BALLOOON apparently has the power to grind all @TLRailUK trains to a halt 😂 wonder what else it can do.... cure the common cold? Bring world peace? 🎈 #balloonpower #thameslink #thameslinkfail https://t.co/pfKK0fDzdj
— Miss Foodie (@missfoodie88) July 30, 2018
They've had it up to here with the alternative facts
First day of the new, more ‘stable’ #Thameslink timetable going well then. Presumably that’s stable in the Donald Trump interpretation of the word. pic.twitter.com/X6mYTK1RHS
— Karl Wilding (@karlwilding) July 16, 2018
Oh how I love #thameslink they are now making up reasons to reject claims😂 I get the 4.02pm train home every day and claimed for a cancelled train a few weeks back and apparently I have claimed I was travelling on a different service at the time 🧐🤔 pic.twitter.com/jYQ5MikvtI
— danielle gilbert (@daniell97358010) August 16, 2018
This guy wasn't about to let other services off the hook, either
And this #Southeastern service I'm now on is inexplicably being run today by #Southern. Along with #Thameslink, a triumvirate of incompetence, a cartel of ineptitude.
— David Jones (@schnuckster) August 20, 2018
Some people got a bit carried away
To Thameslink: NEVER, EVER CANCEL ALL MY TRAINS AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. I AM NO LONGER A MAN THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED TIMETABLES OF DELAYS & CANCELLATIONS. BE CAUTIOUS!
— Ali Dunk (@AliJDunk) July 23, 2018
While others managed to find a silver lining
I read an article about bed bugs this morning and now I never want to sit down on a train again.
— Rachel McConnell (@Minette_78) August 20, 2018
Which is lucky, as I travel by Thameslink.
But this classic comeback will never be beat (lesson learnt: don't come for Poundland)
.@TLRailUK You’re ‘off the rails’ #TLFail #Proudland pic.twitter.com/rago9G1zmh
— Poundland (@Poundland) May 30, 2018