Connex boss 'unfit to run whelk stall'

A group of frustrated rail passengers told the managing director of Connex he was "unfit to run a whelk stall" let alone a commuter company at a platform meeting.

Following three months of continuing delays and cancellations, Olivier Brousse, chief of Connex South Eastern which runs services from Kent, Sussex and Surrey into London, agreed to meet the commuters on platform six at Victoria station after admitting the service was "diabolical".

He was quickly besieged by a crowd of nearly 30 furious passengers as the meeting progressed last night and became increasingly uneasy as the debate turned to angry finger-pointing and accusations.

Edward Gaskin, 37, a retail director from Faversham, was one of a group of commuters who catch the same 6.35 Ramsgate train every night.

He said: "It's intolerable and has been for at least three months. Last year was bad after the Hatfield disaster but this year there is no excuse. Every day it seems we are delayed for up to an houranda-half for one reason or the other. I have three young children and by the time I get home they are in bed - I often don't see them week in, week out.

"The trains are late, overcrowded and information about what is happening usually impossible to get. When we are told what is going on it is often wrong."

Connex are trialling new Electrostar 375 trains worth £200 million designed to ease congestion on the busiest routes, and Mr Brousse said they were having teething troubles. Michael Coulson-Tabbs, a financial adviser also from Faversham, told Mr Brousse: "We are supposed to be benefiting from all these new super-duper trains and to be honest, they are absolutely rubbish.

"I just want one thing, to be able to get home on time. I don't care about new trains - I say keep the old ones."

Mr Brousse apologised to those present but tried to defend the company saying: "You will see improvements soon, as we have invested millions. If there are delays then we don't do it for the pleasure of upsetting you.

"I understand you are the victims, that there is a lack of clear information and that we have lost credibility. I can only ask that you bear with us."

He promised to take the details of those who attended and to email or telephone those who wanted information on late trains and that he would make sure staff go into Connex trains to carry out a similar exercise.

He also said he would look into a compensation package.

After the meeting the commuters said they were still not happy, but they were impressed by Mr Brousse turning up to talk to them. Mr Coulson-Tabbs said: "I think it was very brave of him."