EMERGENCY talks will be held today in a bid to end the industrial action on Southern Rail.

The train drivers’ union Aslef has suspended action ahead of the talks with Govia Thameslink (GTR), aimed at resolving the bitter dispute over driver-only trains.

Both sides have said they are committed to finding a solution but insiders say the train company will have to “significantly change its position” for any deal to be struck.

It comes after a commuter used the Consumer Credit Act to claim 50 per cent of his season ticket back from Southern on the grounds of non-delivery of goods and services.

It opens the possibility that other commuters, who have bought tickets using credit cards, could do the same, costing the train company millions.

Aslef will meet with GTR at 10am under the joint chairmanship of TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady and Andy Meadows, from rail firm Abellio.

In a joint statement, Ms O’Grady and Mr Meadows said: “We are committed to finding a fair solution to this dispute. We are pleased the parties have agreed to meet for meaningful talks.”

Hundreds of thousands of passengers were hit by three days of strikes last week and have endured months of disruption.

It is believed GTR initiated the talks with Aslef last week in a bid to end the disruption.

An insider said it was unlikely that any deal would be struck today, with talks likely to continue for days.

Charles Horton, chief executive of GTR, said: “We’ve always made clear our willingness to engage in meaningful talks with Aslef to find a route forward to end their dispute.

“So, together with our passengers and businesses, we warmly welcome their decision to suspend next week’s planned industrial action.

“This is an important and significant development for the travelling public and the regional economy, and our focus and efforts now will be on productive talks with the union and trying to find a solution and a way forward.”

Both parties were tight lipped yesterday in a bid not to scupper the talks.

At the time of going to press the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, which is due to go on strike on Monday, had not been included in the talks.

A spokesman said: “RMT has today written to the TUC requesting that this union be involved in the same process over the current Southern guards dispute that has been agreed with our sister union ASLEF over the drivers dispute.

“RMT is awaiting a response to that request.

“In the meantime, the scheduled action in the Southern guards’ dispute remains on.”