The Government set out its long term plans for rail franchising today, which include extending the existing contract for First Capital Connect for another 12 months.

But Brighton Pavilion's MP said she was concerned that the Government had awarded the extension without addressing the ongoing problems with Brighton and Hove services.

The Greens have also expressed broader concerns about the franchising process and are calling for an end to private ownership of the railways, which has seen huge increases in the cost of travel and cost to the taxpayer.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:

"The Government claims to be putting customers at the heart of its plans for rail franchising, but time after time we’ve seen the privatised rail network letting down passengers with extortionate fares – now among the highest in Europe – and few real improvements in services or efficiency.

"Rather than simply extending the contract for First Capital Connect, the Department of Transport should be ensuring that the company gets its act together over the continuing problems with service provision in Brighton and Hove.

"It should address the fact that so many trains coming in and out of the city continue to be overcrowded and unreliable, as well as overpriced.

"Ministers should also heed the calls of Greens and others and look to bring the railways back into public ownership, which could save taxpayers more than £1 billion a year – allowing the Government to deliver lower fares and a better quality of service."

ENDS