TRAIN passengers will be able to claim compensation when trains are more than 15 minutes late.

The scheme is expected to be introduced for Southern Railway customers within the next few months, the Department for Transport said yesterday.

More changes will be introduced in stages, a spokesman said.

It means passengers will be able to claim 25 per cent of the cost of the single fare for delays between 15 and 29 minutes long. They will receive 50 per cent back of their single fare for delays of 30 to 59 minutes. Passengers can get their full fare back on more than an hour delay for single fares and return fares for two hours.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling said: "We recognise that, above all else, passengers want a reliable train service, but when things do go wrong it is vital that they are compensated fairly. Delay Repay 15 is a major improvement for passengers and we are working with train companies to make it as easy as possible for passengers to claim their rightful compensation."

He said the announcement, alongside the introduction of the Consumer Rights Act earlier this months shows passengers were being put first.