WE all love to moan about it but now passengers have a rare chance to comment on Southeastern train services.
The company's current franchise is up for renewal in 2014, lasting until at least 2020, so the Department for Transport (DfT) is running a consultation allowing people to say what improvements they want to see.
Among the upcoming challenges for the franchise is disruption caused by the rebuilding of London Bridge station and the way Crossrail, due to pass through Woolwich and Abbey Wood, affects other services.
Long-suffering Grove Park commuter Tom Royal, who wants stricter penalties when the company fails to meet targets, has even set up his own website making it easier for people to respond, with their comments emailed straight to the DfT.
The 31-year-old journalist said: "I set it up because very few people seem to know about the consultation, and even for those who do find the original consultation document it is far too difficult to respond.
"There's a long list of mostly simple questions to be answered in the consultation but these are buried inside a huge PDF document.
"I hope my site will make it possible for train users to send a useful response in 15 minutes or so, and that more people will do so."
Erith and Thamesmead MP Teresa Pearce said she was encouraging constituents to reply and had urged Southeastern to make Erith station wheelchair accessible.
She said: "This is people's one opportunity to talk about the issue we've had with Southeastern.
"I know people say what's the point, but unless you join in, no one's going to listen to you."
Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said: "Before we let this franchise, we want to make sure we make the right decisions to maximise the benefits passengers get from it."
The consultation closes on September 13.
Mr Royal's site is serailwayconsultation.co.uk or visit the official site .
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