MPs join commuters in bid to strip First Capital Connect of its franchise

Furious commuters today stepped up a campaign to bring First Capital Connect into public ownership amid growing claims it is failing customers.

Passengers and MPs are calling on government chiefs to strip the rail firm of its franchise after months of cancellations, delays and diversions.

An "I Hate FCC" Facebook group has 2,000 members; there is also a 4,218-name Downing Street online petition and a spoof website in which commuters can express their anger at the company.

Lib-Dem MP Paul Burstow has lodged an early-day motion, signed by 13 MPs, calling for FCC's franchise to be withdrawn.

The MP for Sutton and Cheam said: "The delays in December were the final straw. There's been a severe reduction in timetabled services because FCC haven't employed enough drivers."

A member of the Facebook group wrote: "Peak travelling has long been a sick joke. If they do lose the franchise, about bloody time."

A Department of Transport spokesman said: "Secretary of state [Lord Adonis] has been clear that FCC needs to improve its services very significantly. He is looking at all options open to him if it fails to do so."

FCC said it had improvement plans and would compensate its season ticket holders, some of whom pay up to £4,000 a year. A spokesman added: "The Great Northern route, accounting for 50 per cent of customers, has been operating a normal service."