Passengers react to Southern Rail timetable changes

It comes as the network battles with rail unions over plans to change the role of conductors.

Reporter Ginny Sanderson asked customers for their thoughts following months of disruptions.

“I’ve given up on trains,” said Jack Dykes, 72, from Broadwater Way. He added: “The disruption and delays are too much.” Mr Dykes, who works as a psychologist, was delayed by an hour this morning. He said: “It is affecting my work - I’ve been late every day.

Meanwhile, for some, journeys today have been better than usual. This was the case for Nicki La Brooy, 59, who travels to Worthing each week to visit her father in hospital. The writer, from Rottingdean, said: “My journey today was fine. It took me three hours to get to Worthing a week ago.”

But the changes are costing Ann Currie, a local authority worker, a lot more money. The 56-year-old, who lives in Windsor, has been forced to book an extra night’s accommodation so she can get to work on time on Mondays.”It’s inconvenienced me a lot. This morning I had 20 minutes of delays, which wasn’t as bad as I’m used to,” she said.

Worthing mother and teacher Emma Bell, 44, said the disruptions on Southern Rail have made her late to pick up her children from school. She said: “It has cost me a lot of money, having to get a taxi when trains have been delayed.”

“It’s a shambles,” said Alison Milburn, 57, of Orme Road. The former Environmental Health Officer’s journey was delayed by half an hour this morning. She added: “It was outrageous that nobody was on the station in Shoreham to explain what was going on.”

While Margaret Avenell, 78, feels that something more drastic needs to be done. “It should be nationalised,” the pensioner from West Worthing said, “It never used to be like this. It’s putting me off using trains.”