Commuters endured rush hour delays yesterday morning following an electrical fault – just hours after they were hit with the annual ticket price hike.

Furious passengers slammed “incompetent” rail providers adding they weren’t getting value for money.

Technicians discovered an electrical fault at South Croydon shortly after 7am yesterday morning.

It caused delays on the Brighton to London mainline between Gatwick and East Croydon up until 11am.


MORE:


Southern, First Capital Connect and Gatwick Express services were all affected.

A spokesman for Southern said there were delays of up to 20 minutes while others on Twitter complained of 40 minute hold-ups.

Commuters travelling from Brighton to London Victoria will now fork out £3,972 for a season ticket – a 2.9% rise on 2013’s prices following the latest hike in rail prices In the last decade Brighton to London tickets have rocketed 58% with a season ticket costing just £2,720 in 2003.

The week between Boxing Day and New Year also saw major disruption with a multi-million pound improvement works carried out.

Shelley Atlas, from the Brighton Line Commuters group, said the hike was a “concern”.

She added: “The increase is lower than what we were expecting. But saying that it is still an increase and people are not seeing the same at work. Therefore they are paying more for their travel.

“They expect a punctual service but this isn’t happening.

“They need to step back and look at maintenance. Only then will we have fewer incidents like yesterday.”

She added: “It’s all well saying customers can claim if they are late but it is inconvenient and time consuming.”

Meanwhile customers took to Twitter to vent their frustration.

David Davis, from Brighton, said: “That upgrade to the line and signalling over Xmas worked well, then? #rollseyes.”

Alex Bowell, added: “Day two of the new year and third delay already. Now terminating at East Croydon. How do I claim back for your incompetence?”

Lucie Polly added: “New day new excuses for delays. Fifth working day in a row with bad delays on my journey to and from work.

“I have had at least 12 hours of delays in five days. Twelve hours of my life I can't get back. Shocking service.”

A spokesman for Southern said passengers who encountered delays could claim compensation.

For more details visit southernrailway.com/your-journey/customer-services/delay-repay.