Croydon commuters have been dealt another slap in the face after latest figures revealed an increase in delays on Connex South Central services.

A report from government watchdogs OPRAF revealed that the number of Connex trains running on time had dropped from 90.4 per cent to 88.7 per cent.

Following the release of the figures, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott launched a scathing attack on the services provided by many of Britain's privatised rail companies.

Only last month Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks, who regularly uses the service, berated Connex saying delays and overcrowding were commonplace and that commuters were so fed up that they didn't even bother to complain.

Connex learned last month that it would not automatically have its contract renewed in 2003. And Mr Wicks said the company would have to work harder to show it deserved another chance.

"People I talk to are far from happy with the service they get from Connex but feel that complaining won't do any good," he said.

"Performance is lagging behind promise and the Croydon public are very often getting a second class service."

But Connex South Central spokesman Simon Eden was adamant the French-owned franchise was offering its customers the best service possible: "Our performances are consistently meeting customer charter targets and we are striving to ensure customers get the best service possible.

"The figures being compared are based on last year and that was the best our customers had seen for five years."

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