COMMUTERS will call for better rights for disabled and elderly train travellers at a protest tonight.

The Association of British Commuters (ABC) is supporting charity Transport for All at London Bridge station from 6pm.

They claim the disabled and elderly people are suffering uncertainty since the implementation of Driver Only Operation, with the roll back of 'turn up and go' access at dozens of stations. 

Paralympian Anne Wafula Strike is appearing as a speaker and the protest will feature the first performance of a song from the new musical Southern Fail.

Faryal Velmi, director of Transport for All, said: "It’s shameful that Southern Rail are allowing disabled passengers to bear the brunt of their failures to deliver a reliable service.

"We have heard daily from disabled transport users stranded on freezing platforms, or forced to crawl onto trains when rail companies have failed to assist them.

"This unacceptable backwards step for access simply cannot be allowed to stand so we’re coming together to demand that Southern Rail reverse their decision."

Emily Yates, co-founder of Association of British Commuters, said: "We believe that Southern Rail is turning the clock back on access rights; just another part of the collateral damage that has been caused by the Department for Transport’s year-long war with the unions.

"We urgently need nationwide standards of accessibility in relation to DOO – not only for the sake of disabled travellers but also to prevent the dispute spreading nationwide.

"Ultimately, this is the responsibility of the Department for Transport, whose duty it is to hold train operating companies to account and ensure they comply with Equality law.”