25.03.11
Southeastern franchise extension confirmed
Southeastern has had its franchise extended by two years, despite calls from MPs for it to lose rights to run services over poor performance over the winter.
The operator has also said its Javelin high-speed services will run from Maidstone West via Strood to St Pancras.
Managing director Charles Horton said: “We're pleased that the current Southeastern franchise will now continue until March 2014.
“Throughout, our focus will remain on improving services for our customers.”
Its 2010 punctuality was measured at 82.04%, fractionally above the 82% trigger for a 5% discount for season ticket holders. An independent review commissioned by the operator, conducted by Sheffield University, said the figures were accurate.
Tunde Olatunji of Passenger Focus said Southeastern’s customers would have “mixed feelings”, as they have seen “a deterioration in performance, sharp fare increases and little or no compensation for the delays”.
Olatunji added: “However, the silver lining for passengers who have felt aggrieved about the failure to get compensation last year is that the franchise extension has now included a consultation on changing the compensation arrangement to a system known as ‘delay repay’, where passengers are entitled to compensation for every journey delayed by more than 30 minutes.
“This is something we had argued for in the original contract, so we are pleased that it has finally been accepted. It should mean that passengers will be able to apply for compensation immediately rather than having to wait to see whether Southeastern’s year performance has breached the threshold for awarding compensation.”
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