Charter aims to improve rail service

Passenger groups across the South East are uniting behind a charter demanding improvements to Southeastern services.

They are using the charter to call for flexible rail tickets for part-time commuters, cheaper fares, more train carriages and station upgrades.

The Better South Eastern Charter is in response to the public consultation launched by the government as it looks for a new train operator to run the franchise currently operated by Southeastern after the current contract ends in December 2018.

The document has been signed by Campaign for Better Transport, Sevenoaks Rail Travellers Association, Tonbridge Line Commuters, Cycling UK, Living Streets, National Pensioners Convention, Rural Services Network, Timewise, Transport for All and Work Wise UK.

It has six demands, including a fairer deal for part-time commuters, value for money with a commitment to always sell the cheapest ticket for a journey, better stations with accessibility upgrades and improved integration with cycling, local buses and TfL services, better train services with extra carriages and accurate up-to-date information for passengers, excellent customer service with trained, visible staff on trains and at stations to provide assistance and give passengers security and monitoring, and enforcement with fines if the train company falls short of its commitments.

Lianna Etkind, from Campaign for Better Transport, which initiated the charter, said: “Southeastern passengers are currently being overcharged to wait in poorly kept stations with limited facilities and then be squeezed onto packed trains.

“This is not acceptable and this charter makes the case for people and communities across the South East to have the reliable, affordable and high-quality rail service they deserve.

“Our charter demands were developed by people who use the service every day.

“If the government are serious about their stated ambition to put the passenger at the heart of this new franchise, they would do well to take note of it.” Political Editor

Southeastern’s franchise is due to end in December 2018