What are your experiences of trains in Sussex, good or bad?

Sussex MPs will meet with ministers and train bosses to discuss the recent '˜appalling' performance of services today (Monday January 18).
Southern train SUS-150225-010822001Southern train SUS-150225-010822001
Southern train SUS-150225-010822001

Passengers using Southern and Thameslink services between the south coast and London, operated by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), have faced numerous delays since the start of December, and MPs will meet rail minister Claire Perry and representatives from Network Rail and GTR today.

Just before Christmas, Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert said passengers had ‘reached the end of their tether’ with rail companies, and MPs were ‘unwilling to hear any more excuses or false promises that the service will get better’.

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He went on to say that Thameslink and Southern should be stripped of their franchise unless they showed ‘immediate improvement’.

Meanwhile Lewes MP Maria Caulfield joked that it was ‘almost quicker to fly to space station by rocket than get home to Lewes by train’, referencing Sussex astronaut Tim Peake’s mission to the International Space Station.

Last week Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell added: “Both Network Rail and Southern must do more to make this service better with more money spent on the track, rolling stock and signalling. Commuters are fed up with delays and late trains and that is on top of the already appalling slow times into London from Eastbourne in the first place.

“This is a malaise not just affecting Eastbourne – it is all over East Sussex - and I will continue to work with my local colleagues to take up the cause for better train services with the rail minister Claire Perry.”

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Before the meeting, a spokesman for GTR said: “We know the train service has not been good enough and apologise to passengers. We are looking forward to meeting with the minister, listening to the MPs and explaining what we are doing together to improve the service.”

But what do you think of the rail services you use? Comment below or let us know about your experiences by emailing the newsdesk, including how regularly you travel and where you travel to and from.

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