Transport Minister Norman Baker visited Brighton Station yesterday evening (Friday 30 March) to launch the new Brighton Line Commuters website – www.brightonlinecommuters.org.
He paid tribute to Shelley Atlas, who runs the rail user group, and her colleagues for their contribution to improving services.
His remarks were echoed by David Scorey, Southern’s franchise improvement director, who conceded that they might not always see eye to eye but that the commuters’ input was valuable.
Roger French, the managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, and Andy Cheesman, managing director of City Cabs, also attended.
Mr Baker said that Brighton Line Commuters had a provided a voice for people travelling on the trains from Eastbourne, Worthing and Brighton and Hove since 1985.
Long-serving Shelley Atlas said that the group’s area representatives were all regular commuters and had a track record of providing a swift and effective response to comments and queries received.
She said that the group also took up bus and taxi issues for members, adding: “We are a voluntary rail user group and receive no government funding.”
Recent issues looked at by the group included
- Taxi congestion problems at Brighton Station
- Motorbike parking at Brighton Station
- Passenger flow after complaints of delays at the Gatwick Express ticket gates at Victoria
The group had also been monitoring and reporting problems with some train doors and monitoring heating problems on First Capital Connect services.
