RAIL passengers have endured the worst January since Connex won the franchise to run services in 1996.

Connex South Eastern, which runs trains in London, Kent and East Sussex, was fined £1.65m by the Strategic Rail Authority for disruptions.

This amount was six times more than for the same period last year.

Bad weather and failing trains were blamed for delays and loss of carriages on services.

Connex spokesman Sarah Boundy said: "Many of our trains are stillof the old slam-door type and like old cars they break down more often and do not cope as well in bad weather."

She added: "However, most of the trains used in the metropolitan area are the new ones which were not as badly affected."

Connex South Eastern was fined £7m in the 12 months to February.

Last January, it was fined £250,000.

Of the 618 carriages in Connex South Eastern's fleet, 180 are the new sliding door kind.

The rail firm says it plans to phase out slam-door carriages by 2004.