A TRAIN operator ran buses alongside trains sparking complaints of confusion and congestion amongst passengers.

On Monday Southern railway’s replacement bus services were still driving passengers between Seaford and Lewes despite train services being back up and running.

A spokesman for franchise owner Govia Thameslink explained that the company’s contract with the bus provider extended through the course of this week so the decision was taken to run buses as well as alongside trains.

However yesterday the franchise holder decided to mothball the replacement bus service.

Seaford commuter Tony Gimple said: “I was confused by the buses, but didn’t have the energy to ask at 6.50 on Monday morning.”

When Southern introduced its temporary reduced timetable this summer the Seaford to Lewes line was one of the worst affected, losing around four out of five of its trains.

Peak services to London were largely unaffected but all other routes had rail replacement buses substituted for trains, which some commuters complained were not as wheelchair accessible and not as punctual.

From 6am on Monday the full Seaford train service was finally restored.

The GTR spokesman added: “They were running twice as frequently as the trains and we had them anyway so we kept them running.”

However commuters in Lewes complained that the buses caused delays to drivers trying to park, and to drop off commuters, and Seaford passengers did not know whether to take the bus or the train.

The spokesman explained: “We’ve had some feedback that it caused congestion and confusion, so so what we’ve now done is kept the buses but they’re not running.”

He said the vehicles would be available at the stations to ferry passengers this week in the event of rail delays or signal failure.

Fiona Lewis who has been protesting the lack of transport provision to Seaford since the start of the summer, said: “Who knows whether it was a mistake, or whether they weren’t sure whether they’d be able to run the trains until the last minute

“It’s a bit strange because I don’t know why they didn’t communicate about the buses, they handed out leaflets saying ‘back on track’ and the leaflets didn’t say anything about the buses.

“We’re delighted to have our trains back so as far as I’m concerned if they want to put on buses as well so much the better.”