COMMUTERS could face some disruption to their regular commute after a series of timetable changes.

Some Southern routes have seen a reduction in off-peak and Sunday services, but some lines will see more trains run at peak times.

A Southern spokesman said the firm had a “difficult balance to strike” in prioritising services to transport as many passengers as possible.

He said: “As with all of our timetables, we are prioritising our available resources to support as many customers as we possibly can - safeguarding key services such as those for schools and rural communities with limited public transport alternatives, meeting demand for commuting and leisure, and then supporting the largest off-peak and weekend service that we can.

He said that customer numbers have plateaued at around 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, with trends suggesting that people will continue to work from home more regularly in future.

“The railway needs to adapt to lower passenger numbers and the impact of reduced commuting on the industry’s finances, while at the same time, encouraging passengers to return when they are ready,” the spokesman said.

The changes include an additional hourly service between Brighton and Lewes during peak hours on weekdays, an additional hourly service on weekdays between Brighton and Hove and additional services on weekdays between Uckfield and London Bridge.

Services between Brighton and Hastings will now also stop at London Road station at off-peak times to improve connectivity in the Brighton area.

Southern’s customer services director Chris Fowler said: “We are pleased to be offering more services overall.

“Although most changes are small, it’s important that customers check their route for new times before they travel.

“We’ll continue to monitor travel patterns and customer feedback, and to work with local stakeholders as we always do when timetables are introduced, so we can look to add more services in future when and where they’re needed.”

Despite the increased number of services on some routes, commuters face travel chaos later this month as 40,000 rail workers across the country prepare to walk out as part of an ongoing dispute over pay.