Rail bosses are pulling out all the stops to ensure the launch of this Sunday's new train timetable runs smoothly after a savage mauling by the Transport Select Committee.

The MPs' hard-hitting investigation into the May change-over, which threw the railways into chaos leaving thousands of passengers stranded at stations, is published today and lays the blame squarely on the "astonishing complexity" of the UK's rail network.

It has called for a major overhaul.

Labour MP Lilian Greenwood, who chaired the committee, said: "It is extraordinary, and totally unacceptable, that no-one took charge of the situation and acted to avert the May timetabling crisis.

"Instead of experiencing the benefits of much-needed investment in our railways, around one in five passengers experienced intensely inconvenient and costly disruption to their daily lives.

"There was extraordinary complacency about protecting the interests of passengers, who were very badly let down."

She went on: "The complex system by which we operate our rail services failed to cope with the scale of change planned for May 2018.

"The Secretary of State (Chris Grayling) has announced a year-long independent rail review to be conducted by Keith Williams.

"While the need for fundamental reform is beyond doubt, passengers cannot wait until 2020 for key lessons to be learned and reforms implemented."

The report is published less than a week since train companies announced an average 3.1% increase in fares for next year.

Ms Greenwood said: "This adds insult to passengers’ injury.

"We recommend that 2018 season ticket holders most affected by the timetabling crisis receive a discount on their 2019 season tickets equivalent to the increase announced on Friday.”

The report says there was a collective, system-wide failure across Network Rail, the privately-owned train operating companies, the Department for Transport and the Office of Road and Rail.

Governance and decision-making processes were not fit for purpose, says the Report.

The Committee endorses the key conclusion of the inquiry led by Professor Stephen Glaister, who chairs the Office of Road and Rail, that "nobody took charge."

It adds that only Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State, had the ultimate authority to judge the trade-offs between competing commercial interests and could step in to avert the crisis by halting implementation.

“While we are truly sorry for what happened this summer, our ambition remains to deliver thousands of new trains and extra services..." Robert Nisbet, Rail Delivery Group

The report says he was not given all the information he required to make that decision.

But in a stinging rebuke the committee concludes that he should have been "more proactive" and that it was "not reasonable for him to absolve himself completely of all responsibility."

He has since announced a much broader ‘root and branch’ review of the rail industry which will lead to a White Paper next autumn with reforms to be implemented from 2020.

Train timetables are changed twice a year, in May and December. They usually only contain minor tweaks.

Robert Nisbet, Regional Director at the Rail Delivery Group which represents the railway, said today: "We are learning the lessons from the unacceptable disruption in May and this report will be an important contribution.

"The industry has set up a dedicated timetable assurance team whose job is to assess future timetables and ensure they are introduced more smoothly, starting with Sunday.

“While we are truly sorry for what happened this summer, our ambition remains to deliver thousands of new trains and extra services, improving journeys for customers and helping grow the economy.”

Additional industry compensation scheme is being offered for those season ticket holders on routes most affected by issues relating to the introduction of the May timetable.

Network Rail has now launched the Industry Timetabling Assurance Programme Management Office working with all the train operators to ensure May's failure is not repeated.

It says it will plough £270 million into the division responsible for timetables and long-term planning.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: "This industry knows it must deliver a smooth set of changes when the next round of timetable changes takes effect this Sunday.

"They must show they’ve learned lessons after a torrid summer of timetable crisis, and are acting to improve performance.

"Someone has to be placed clearly in charge of timetable changes.

"Passengers also expect the Government’s Rail Review to address how their railways are run, to deliver sustained improvements in day to day performance and better value for money. Nothing less will rebuild public trust in the railway.”

Paul Prentice of Southeastern said the May mayhem didn't affect many of the train company's commuters in Kent but the rail firm helped Thameslink passengers by adding extra stops.

There will only be a few changes for Southeastern passengers from Sunday but the company is consulting about its May changes for next year on its website.

Next week's changes

Monday to Friday

17.16 St Pancras to Maidstone West will start at 17.12 and run earlier throughout.

16.39 Slade Green to Cannon St (via Greenwich) will no longer call at London Bridge.

16.47 Barnehurst to Cannon St (via Bexleyheath) will call additionally at London Bridge.

Sunday

06.32 Dartford to Victoria (via Bexleyheath) will start from Barnehurst at 06.39