Rail services are getting more reliable but tickets are too expensive, say passengers.

A survey by Passenger Focus, an independent body set up by the Department for Transport, has revealed how happy passengers are with services.

Commuters were asked about 29 aspects of rail travel and the results showed that overall, 81 per cent of people were happy with Southern Railways and 73 per cent with Thameslink services. Both had more satisfied customers than in a survey a year ago.

Six out of ten Thameslink passengers and 59 per cent of Southern passengers thought rail fares were poor value.

Almost three quarters of Thameslink passengers were unhappy about the way the company dealt with delays, along with 64 per cent of Southern passengers.

Passengers on both routes were concerned about the lack of parking at stations, staff availability at stations and space for luggage.

Colin Foxall, chairman of Passenger Focus, said: "If less than half of all rail passengers think they are getting value for money, then it's a sign that the existing fares system is simply not delivering for its passengers.

"Passenger Focus intends to start a national debate about what kind of fares structure passengers want to see. We'll be going out to ask passengers what they think."

Shelley Atlas, of the organisation Brighton Line Commuters, said the figures proved the rail companies'

efforts to improve services were working.

Passengers were paying higher fares because a five per cent discount for poor services had not been issued.

She said: "The discount was in place because we were not getting a good service. We can't have it both ways."

She said it cost up to £3,000 a year to commute from Brighton and Hove to London, good value compared to commuting by car.

Thursday, January 26, 2006