A new franchise to run rail services in Medway and Kent has been put back until 2018 – meaning Southeastern will continue to run them for far longer than expected.

The Department for Transport is to rearrange the programme for awarding franchises after the protracted saga of the West Coast line contract.

That ended in chaos after flaws were found in the bidding process and led to a review of the way franchises were awarded.

Under the revised eight-year timetable, the contract for running Kent’s rail services will now be awarded in 2018 rather than 2014.

Southeastern, which has had a chequered history, will continue to be the operator until that time.

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch said she could not understand why Southeastern would be one of the last franchises to be awarded.

“I am unhappy about the decision and I am sure rail passengers will be horrified.

"I can see the logic [of staggering franchise awards] but I cannot see the logic of Southeastern having the longest extension when it is one of the poorest performing operators and one of the most expensive.”

Dismayed commuter nother four years of misery for commuters.Carol McGrath described it as a

She added: "It seems to me that the railway company are making easy money at our expense as there is no competition on this line. If there was we would get a far better deal that we are currently getting."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Southeastern, one of the Govia franchises, has a strong record of improving services for customers over the past seven years – with record levels of punctuality and customer satisfaction.”

The company will continue to work with Network Rail and other industry partners to carry on improving services for passengers.”