41 more stations to be staffed at night in rail safety drive

Every train on the new South Central franchise will also be equipped with CCTV under the measures.

The criteria for the new franchise, announced today, also includes more late-night and weekend services and longer trains at pinchpoints to increase capacity by 25 per cent.

The new franchise, which starts next September, will serve the capital, Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex including the Brighton line.

The improvements come after two Evening Standard campaigns, Safer Stations and A Seat For Every Commuter, called for improved station security and more capacity on key lines.

But experts say longer trains are not expected to keep up with growing rail use. The National Audit Office predicts overcrowding will get worse while fares rise faster than inflation.

Increases in regulated fares - peak time, season and saver tickets - will, however, be capped overall at retail price index inflation plus one per cent, and no individual fares will go up by more than RPI plus three per cent.

Currently, the cost of some journeys can go up by RPI plus six per cent.

One thousand extra parking spaces and 1,500 additional secure cycling bays will be created on the network.

Transport Minister Lord Adonis said: "By setting more robust requirements for bidders, we are ensuring future rail passengers have frequent, reliable services that are comfortable and safe."

Improvements on South Central, which will take in the existing Southern franchise, the Gatwick Express and the Tonbridge-Redhill section of Southeastern, will include:

* 41 more stations in London manned from the first to last service.
* New late-night services in south London on Fridays and Saturdays with most routes having trains until 00.30.
* Four trains per hour on most routes in south London until about 23.00 Monday to Saturday. Extra services in south London on Sundays.
* All south London stations being refurbished.
* New hourly Brighton to Southampton services on Sundays.
* Additional late-night services from Brighton to Worthing. Later services on the Uckfield route.
* Ticket gates at Worthing, Eastbourne, Chichester, Lewes and Horsham manned for longer.

The Department for Transport is funding the installation of ticket gates at 14 stations in south London including Peckham Rye and South Croydon as the Oyster card is rolled out.

Four bidders have been shortlisted: current operator Go Via; NedRailways, a subsidiary of the main train operator in Holland; Stagecoach and National Express. The franchise will run until July 2015.

The extra services are meant to alleviate the disruption caused by the upgrade of London Bridge station.