Rail firms in Sussex are considering proposals to increase fares during rush hours to reduce overcrowding.

But commuters have reacted angrily to the news, which comes on the day they learned they may face further strike action and that complaints against

Connex have more than doubled. The rush hour plan is from the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority, which train firms have to answer to.

Connex SouthCentral, which runs across Sussex and the South East, confirmed today it was considering the scheme. But commuter groups immediately condemned the proposal, saying it would further hit regular travellers who have to catch trains at certain times of the morning to earn their living.

Shelley Atlas, of Brighton Line Commuters, said: "This is a ludicrous suggestion which will hit hard-pressed commuters still further. There is already a peak and off-peak fair structure, and to add another on top of that will mean more fare misery for commuters, already picked on as a captive group of travellers. If rail companies are forced to have a different fare band within the rush hour, it means they are failing in management terms. We need to nip this suggestion in the bud."

The SSRA has suggested "modest changes" to fares at the height of the rush-hour as opposed to fares charged either side of the busiest times. The authority says the changes to fares would only be allowed if train companies were making significant investment in the railways.

Connex spokesman Dave Ewart said: "This is something we would want to consider and discuss with the rail authority. We must stress it is only a proposal and we have no plans to introduce the scheme at the moment."

Wendy Toms, who heads the Southern England Rail Users' Consultative Committee, said: "We are extremely concerned by this. It is possible once passengers get better train services they may be prepared to pay a bit more for them."

She said improvement work on some routes would take years and services would be seriously disrupted while it was being carried out. "To ask passengers to pay more while the work was going on would be adding insult to injury. Commuters are a captive market, with little or no choice but to travel by rail. That is why their fares are regulated.They need continued protection."

The London Rail Passengers' Committee revealed today that complaints against Connex have more than doubled, while other rail companies have seen them fall.

Yesterday it was announced train services in Sussex face more disruption with the threat of more strikes - this time by guards. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union are being balloted on industrial action as part of a dispute over staff responsibilities.

The results of the vote and a decision on possible strikes are expected in two weeks. The dispute affects all rail operators except Thameslink and West Anglia Great Northern, which have driver-only trains.

In Sussex the ballot has implications for Connex, South West and Virgin services. The dispute is over rulebook changes introduced by Railtrack. In the event of an accident or breakdown guards are to stay on the train with passengers and drivers get out and take necessary safety action. The old rules allowed guards to leave the train and carry out emergency measures.

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