Train passengers will soon be able to start claiming compensation for delayed journeys after 15 minutes rather than the usual 30.

The new Delay Repay 15 scheme will first be launched on Southern trains where south London and Surrey commuters have endured months of disruption due to the ongoing dispute about the role of conductors.

It will later be introduced on other Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) services including Thameslink before rolled out across the network, starting with the new south western and south eastern franchises.

Network Rail figures show only three in four GTR trains arrived on time between August 21 and September 17 this year with almost one in 10 cancelled or arriving more than 30 minutes late.

A Department for Transport spokeswoman could not give a start date for the scheme but said it would apply to Southern services "soon".

Transport secretary Chris Grayling said: "We recognise that, above all else, passengers want a reliable train service, but when things do go wrong it is vital that they are compensated fairly.

"Delay Repay 15 is a major improvement for passengers and we are working with train companies to make it as easy as possible for passengers to claim their rightful compensation.

"Together with the Consumer Rights Act, this policy shows we are putting passengers first and making sure they receive due compensation for poor service."

It is estimates that just one in five people claim compensation under the current scheme of delays of 30 minutes or more.

Under the new Delay Repay 15 scheme, the compensation thresholds will be:

  • 25 per cent of the single fare for delays of 15 to 29 minutes
  • 50 per cent of the single fare for delays of 30 to 59 minutes
  • 100 per cent of the single fare for delays of 60 minutes to 119 minutes
  • 100 per cent of the total ticket cost (including if it is a return) for delays of two hours or more

Stephen Joseph, from Campaign for Better Transport, said Southern passengers will want more than just improved compensation from the operator.

He said: "Southern's long-suffering passengers deserve more than this, including a freeze or even reductions on fares to recognise the horrendous service they've been getting.

"Poor performance on the railways is not just limited to delays and we welcome the fact that the new Consumer Rights Act will cover the quality of rail journeys as well."