2:07pm Thursday 20th November 2008
Hundreds of rail commuters are facing longer journey times, despite the fact a new “faster” train route has been introduced.
New timetable changes, which come into force on December 14, were announced on Monday.
But while the Southern train company says the new Gatwick Express will improve journey times to Victoria, many passengers say their daily journeys will actually be worse.
The changes mean that peak-time journeys to East Croydon and Clapham Junction have been cut and passengers will now have to leave from Hove or change at Haywards Heath.
Jennifer Farnell, of Queen’s Road, Brighton, commutes to Victoria every day, while her husband Wesley travels to East Croydon.
For the past two years the couple have travelled on the same train but when the new timetable begins they will have to take different routes and Mr Farnell will either have to leave 20 minutes earlier or arrive late for work.
Mrs Farnell, a web programmer for UKTV, said: “When they were promoting the new services we were quite excited because it looked like there were going to be more seats and services.
“But when the new timetable came out my heart sank because it is going to be much more difficult.
“It seems insane that the prices are put up every year for less service.”
Commuters travelling to London Bridge will only have a choice of two direct services at 6.01am and 7.33am.
A Southern spokesman said the changes were made because of passenger growth.
He said: “The overall aim of the strategy was to set out a comprehensive timetable designed to reduce crowding by introducing more seats into and out of London for the coast, providing the greatest benefit for the greatest number of passengers.”
Staff will be at Brighton Station to talk about the changes today between 4pm and 8pm and tomorrow from 6.30am and 10am.
Will you be affected by the timetable changes? Tell us below.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.theargus.co.uk