According to the Rail Users' Consultative Committee for southern England, Connex South Central has received more complaints than any other London commuter train firm.

The findings come hot on the heels of news that Connex South Central runs the second most over-crowded trains in the capital. The Rail Users' Committee reported the number of complaints by passengers across the region had dropped overall - the first time since privatisation. But Connex South Central saw a 31 per cent rise in complaints to 545 for the year ending March 31.

Most concerned late trains, insufficient compensation and a lack of information about cancelled services.

Coulsdon South commuters are among the most vociferous complainers after the company proposed axing off-peak services to London Victoria.

Reg Bakes of the Coulsdon West Residents' Association explained: "It's no surprise that Connex tops this misery list. Coulsdon's commuters are getting a raw deal at the moment. Timetabled trains are not running, others are running late and even when they arrive they are carriages short. The service we are paying for is not first, second or even third class."

Connex South Central spokesman David Ewart said the number of complaints had to be put into context with the 63.9 million passenger journeys Connex ran each year. He said: "Around 33 per cent of the complaints that Connex receives are on our own printed forms which make it easy for our customers to let us know where and how we haven't satisfied them.

"It is valuable feedback that helps us put right certain problems and make certain they don't happen again. However one complaint is always one too many." And Mr Ewart said Connex was aiming to return to a full timetable by September this year.