DRIVERS on Southern trains have suffered a “total loss of trust and goodwill” in their bosses, their union said in the run-up to an overtime ban starting today.

The company has been in a long-running dispute with its workers over its introduction of driver-only trains, which unions warn will put jobs and safety at risk.

Meanwhile, a passenger group will argue in court today that the government must take responsibility for the failure of Southern and the lack of disabled access to driver-only trains.

The Association of British Commuters is seeking a “declaration of unlawfulness.”

The group was refused a judicial review last month, but it has been granted a short “public permission hearing” to make its case today.

Drivers’ union Aslef has reinstated its overtime ban after negotiations with bosses failed once again.

Aslef members have already rejected two offers from the company, which would have maintained the expansion of driver-only operation across the Southern network, but offered safeguards in the roll-out.

“The ban reflects the total loss of trust and goodwill between train drivers and the company,” Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said.

“Drivers work overtime on an entirely voluntary basis and have no contractual obligation to do so.

“The shortage of train drivers is wholly down to a lack of recruitment by Southern rail, who have made no effort to recruit drivers over many years, a point echoed by the government-commissioned Gibb report last week.”

Disabled passengers on Southern have been advised to book assistance in advance as there is no longer any guarantee of guards on board.

Rail union RMT represents striking guards — who have been rebranded “on-board supervisors” — on the network.

At the union’s annual general meeting in Exeter, delegates overwhelmingly backed a call for workers to stand with elderly and disabled passengers to ensure they are able to travel.

Central and North Mersey delegate Peter Creaby said: “Disabled people feel isolated enough. Don’t take their independence away.”

Wigan delegate Neil Sharples added: “We’ve got this ridiculous situation on Southern rail when elderly people or people with disabilities are having to book 48 hours in advance to travel.”