Pictured: Caroline with rail bosses at last week's public meeting.

"Dear Charles

As you’re aware, the revised timetable on Southern and Gatwick Express services comes into operation today. I’ve heard concerns from some constituents that it is likely to make journeys that are already difficult even worse. As such, I’d like to draw your attention to two particularly timely issues.

The first of these is compensation. This came up as a key concern at the meeting I hosted last week between GTR and constituents. As I clarified then, train operating companies do have discretion over compensation: in reply to a Parliamentary Question I put forward, rail minister Claire Perry said:

“All franchised Train Operating Companies (TOCs) are required under their franchise agreement to have in place a Passenger’s Charter which will include arrangements for compensation for passengers. TOCs can, at their discretion, go beyond the commitments in their Passenger’s Charter including on compensation on an ex gratia basis.”

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-06-24/41239/

I urge GTR to exercise this discretion immediately, rather than wait for the Department for Transport to catch up, in order to demonstrate goodwill towards the service users who have put up with so much on the train lines in and out of Brighton. I’ve heard from Brighton rail users group Brighton Line Commuters that some years ago there was a similar problem with the train services with strikes/delays, and season ticket holders were given a percentage off when they renewed their season tickets.

The Campaign for Better Transport has put forward suggestions regarding compensation, which sound like they would bring welcome redress:

● All season ticket prices beginning at GTR stations to be frozen at current levels for 12 months

● Increased options for compensation payments to include cash refund at ticket offices, plus personal cheque, and direct bank transfer arrangement available on-line

● Improved compensation application processes so passengers have the ability to make multiple refund applications on the same claim

● Better public information on when compensation is due, for example, via compulsory on-train announcements.

● All passengers travelling on smart tickets to receive compensation automatically for delays of 15 minutes or more

I would be grateful for your response on these points.

The second issue I’d like to raise is the need to add more carriages to those trains that will be running. In previous announcements about the revised timetable, GTR said: “Southern will run longer trains and replacement bus services as well where possible”. “Where possible” simply isn’t good enough given the pressures on the service to and from Brighton so I call on GTR to introduce more capacity on the route as a matter of urgency.

Best wishes

Caroline"