Rail chiefs are facing complaints about overcrowding on high speed trains with disgruntled commuters having to stand during peak hour services.

Southeastern introduced shorter trains under a new timetable in January, with five trains reduced to just six carriages during the rush hour.

Ashford MP Damian Green said he had received a number of complaints from commuters who said they now regularly have to stand for the 37-minute journey to the capital despite paying one of the country’s highest sums for a season ticket.

A daily return ticket during the peak-hour period is an eye-watering £65 while a standard annual season ticket from Ashford to St Pancras is a whopping £6,056.

Mr Green, who is due to meet Southeastern managing director David Statham this week, said: “It is the first time I have had complaints about overcrowding.

“Passengers are telling me that some trains are now half as long. I have always had complaints about overcrowding on other services but not the high speed.

“This has in the past been the most reliable part of the network.

“People have recognised they would have to pay a premium for a quicker service.

“If passengers cannot get a seat, it is more difficult to justify the high prices for them.”

Passenger groups also expressed concern.

Passenger Focus director David Sidebottom said: “Passengers tell us that what they want most is a seat on a punctual, reliable and frequent train.

“Therefore, it is important that Southeastern manages overcrowding on its high speed service during the peak period.”

Southeastern acknowledged there were problems and said it was considering what changes might be possible.

In a statement, the operator said: “All rolling stock available to us is being fully used during peak periods and all carriages that are available to run are in use at these times.

“We are aware of crowding on some of our services and we are working to collate all passenger feedback, plus data that shows how busy our trains are during peak periods, as part of a review into how the new timetable is operating.

“This process will look at options to move rolling stock from one route to another to relieve crowding, but as this will inevitably have a knock-on effect for passengers on trains in areas that we remove carriages from, we need to give careful consideration to any changes before they are implemented.”

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