Sharon Bowles stands up to sloppy South East rail services

2.52.00pm GMT Thu 26th Mar 2009

South East MEP, Sharon Bowles, has this week launched a campaign to improve rail services.

The campaign was launched following growing dissatisfaction among constituents using rail services within the South East.

The Liberal Democrat MEP has written to a selection of the worst performing rail operators in the region asking how they intend to improve services. In addition, surveys are being handed out at train stations across the South East in order to collect information from rail users in the region.

Launching her campaign, Sharon commented:

"Having spoken with constituents, rail users are clearly angry about the poor service they face on an almost daily basis.

"Delays, cancellations, overcrowding and rising prices have become the rule rather than the exception. Many people pay in excess of £20 a day to be crammed on to a train where they have absolutely no chance of sitting down the entire journey.

"It is unacceptable that in Britain we pay some of the highest prices in Europe for rail travel but experience some of the poorest services.

"Transport accounts for nearly a quarter of all Europe's carbon emissions. We must encourage low-emission transport like trains and trams if we are to make headway in the fight against climate change.

"Improvements would also bring a vital boost to local economies within the South East."

The rail survey can be accessed here: http://www.sharonbowles.org.uk/surveys/2/