In a UK first, train passenger data will be made public to help Kent rail users choose when to travel.

Southeastern will be publishing passenger numbers covering 93% of its stations from September, using the previous week's data to suggest when trains are least busy.

The so-called SeatFinder service will be updated daily using "train loading information", which is gained from built-in technology which weighs each train.

Analysing the change in weight allows an estimate of the number of people on-board.

Passengers planning journeys on any given weekday will be able to see how busy that service was the last time it ran.

Southeastern is the first train operator in the UK to collate its train capacity information in this way and share it directly with passengers.

In another change, live departure boards at stations and on the company's website will have red, amber or green indicators, showing the level of available seats on each train.

From September 5, Southeastern’s timetable will be back to almost pre Covid-19 levels, with 98% of services running.

More capacity will also be available, with the company adding an extra 900 carriages and 50,000 seats so that passengers can maintain at least one metre distance from one another while on-board.

John Backway, head of retail at Southeastern, said: “The next couple of months will see many people returning to the railway network as schools and workplaces try to get back to a new normal.

"During this period, many of our regular passengers will want to adjust their travel patterns based on government guidance, so we’re pleased to be introducing this new solution to the rail sector that helps address this.

“Our teams at Southeastern have worked extremely hard to make the data available and accessible to help passengers plan their journeys and support social distancing to ensure they can be confident of a safe travel experience.”

Alongside the SeatFinder service, Southeastern's app will also be updated to show information about on-board toilet facilities, their type and whether they are engaged.

If SeatFinder proves successful the rail firm could implement the information at venues including the Ashford Designer Outlet, where shoppers could be more able to work out when to travel home.

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