Bognor passengers demand faster trains to London

This is about 25 minutes faster than the usual journey time at present and could be partly achieved through missing out the stop at Redhill.

The association has made the demand as part of its response to a consultation document issued by the government for the new South Central franchise from September, 2009. The franchise will set out what the successful train operator can and can't do. The chance to comment on that specification enables passengers to tell the government exactly what they want from the rail service. Clive Burgess, the association's secretary, said: "This is a rare opportunity to fundamentally influence rail services in Sussex.

"The government must listen to what rail passengers are saying.

"Despite the government talking about subsidy to the railways, south-east commuter services like South Central break even with no government subsidy.

"It is the passengers who pay the fares. So they deserve the greatest say in the service they pay for.

"Passengers must speak up and ensure the Department for Transport hears their views."

The faster trains were among 12 priorities singled out by the rail-users' group for action in the new franchise. Two others specifically concern Bognor. One is the desire for a 30-minute frequency on Arun Valley services throughout the day to improve rush hour travel.

The other is a complete timetable revision to improve connections at Barnham as well as Three Bridges and Horsham.

Mr Burgess said: "The current timetable does not provide connections at any of these stations."

Among the other matters on the association's shopping list of improvements are a Saturday timetable on Sundays to ease overcrowding in the summer, a seven-day railway with engineering works only overnight and later trains between London and Chichester along the Arun Valley line.

The rail service from Bognor has been run by Southern since October 2000. "Southern have done a good job on South Central but there is clear evidence of performance slipping as the franchise comes to an end," said Mr Burgess.

"Passengers are impressed with the new trains and Southern have some excellent staff, but the improvements have tailed off.

"Southern may retain the franchise but they must realise that continuous improvement in rail services is needed.

"They have made a good start, but there is much more to do over the next few years."

The association represents passengers on the Arun Valley and West Coastway lines. It has been in existence for more than 30 years, and carries on from the former Arun Valley rail-users' group, with 200 members and a representative at each station in its area.

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