AN MP is demanding that train operator Govia refunds disgruntled season tickets holders 50 per cent of the cost.

Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell says that the level of disruption to commuters is just too high - and that they should get half of their money back.

She said: "All the time this continues it is passengers who are suffering. Like many others who are trying to use Southern services into London from Eastbourne, I am completely fed up.

"My view is Govia must immediately start compensating season ticket holders for all the disruption and I feel a 50 per cent refund would be appropriate.

"The fact Govia has introduced a new timetable shows just how serious the situation is.

"I echo the sentiments of the hundreds of constituents who have contacted me these last few months when I say to both parties: 'please, please, get around a table and start talking about ending the misery of passengers'."

She says Govia is to blame and says the RMT union is also being unhelpful.

She said: "I’m very disappointed the RMT said in the meeting it rejects any new rollout of driver only operated trains over safety concerns which do not to bear scrutiny.

"When I asked the Rail Safety and Standards Board about those concerns it said there is ‘no increased safety risk’ with the DOO system.

"This intractable position is unhelpful and fails to grasp the system proposed by Govia is already being used safely across substantial parts of the network nationally and has been for decades.

"It’s even more disappointing that when asked what would be a compromise, the union did not seem interested in explaining its position.

"I fully understand that Govia is partly to blame for this situation because it has handled the changes badly and caused ill will with its employees.

"I do welcome that it has restored family passes to workers in a gesture of goodwill, but relations are at a low point and trust at a premium."