Rail union RMT has confirmed a fresh 24-hour strike on Monday 23 January in its bitter dispute with Southern over the retention of guards on the company’s services.
Meanwhile further drivers' strikes from the Aslef union are planned for 24, 25 and 27 January.
Elsewhere there was a parliamentary row over which party was putting politics before passengers but little sign of any progress.
Chris Grayling
In the Commons, shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said transport secretary Chris Grayling had 'put party politics ahead of passengers' over his refusal to allow Transport for London to take over suburban rail services in south east London
Mr Grayling replied: 'I cannot believe what I've just heard from him. Putting party politics before passengers, in the week when the leader of the opposition said he would join a picket line to perpetuate the unnecessary strikes on Southern Rail that are causing so much damage to passengers.'
Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: 'Charles Horton has repeatedly promised publicly to retain a second safety-critical member of staff on his trains but as soon as it comes to direct talks the pledge melts away. That is the main reason why we are forced again to put on further strike action.
'There is a golden opportunity between now and the next phase of action to get serious and genuine talks underway. RMT is available but is down to Southern/GTR to show that same commitment and to stick to the promises they gave on camera in front of TV audience across the region.'
A Southern spokesman responded: 'Mr Horton spoke face-to-face with [RMT deputy general secretary] Mick Lynch immediately after the recording of the debate on Sunday.
'He invited the RMT to fresh talks but we've had no dates or times from them.
'We also made a formal written offer to Aslef over a week ago and we have heard absolutely nothing.'
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