THE new man at the helm of Connex South Eastern has promised a better train service for commuters by Christmas 2004.

Managing director Michael Holden made the vow during a visit to see the new Connex Village shop at Chatham railway station.

The former Southern region director for Network Rail joined the company on May 1 and has spent the last three weeks meeting staff.

He has also spent time chatting to passengers and gauging their opinions on the services provided by Connex.

He said: "We are trying to make the station more attractive. The new shop will become more of a focal point for commuters who use the station."

He said the shop which sells newspapers, general convenience food and drink as well as train tickets, will also be of benefit to the community.

The new shop is only one of two in the UK and both are in Medway. The other was opened at Gillingham last year. "It is a trial concept but we are hoping to extend that number," Mr Holden said.

Howver, he he was quick to point out that the money spent on building the shop was not being taken from funds earmarked for improvements to the rail service. He stressed: The money spent building the shop will be recovered through profits made through sales."

He was also quick to deflect any criticism from passengers who feel the service offered by Connex was poor value for money. The current price of an annual season ticket from Chatham to London is £2,200, which Mr Holden felt "represented good value for money".

He said: "If you break down that fare per mile it is good value. It is cheaper now to travel per pence per mile. Our role is to make the rail service better. We have got lots of good and hard-working people looking to achieve that goal."

He also said Connex was aiming to get more seats on commuter services. "Our aim is to provide seats for longer journeys. It is a complicated commuter rail service. My role is to get the basics organised, which will include getting passengers more seats.

We hope over the next year people will see an improved service.

"By Christmas 2004 we will have eliminated the old slam door trains and replaced them with the new style trains."

Connex chief executive Oliver Brousse said Mr Holden's appointment was "excellent news for our passengers and staff". He added: "He knows the South East region inside out and will help us continue to improve performance and deliver new trains."