PASSENGERS who fear c2c’s new timetable will mean longer journeys at peak times have started a petition urging the company to rethink its plans.

Launched just four days ago, the petition already has more than 450 signatures.

The train company is set to launch its new timetable in December but commuters say trains at peak time will be slower because of more stops outside London and new Metro trains set to be introduced will have fewer seats.

Commuters also fear more of the smaller “metro” trains will be used forcing them to stand.

Shana Doherty, from Westcliff, launched the petition as she said a public consultation on the changes did not target those who use the peak time service.

She said: “There will be no more fast trains during peak hours in and out of London. c2c has admitted 95 per cent of peak hour passengers didn’t take part in the survey and there has been no feedback.

“I work in Covent Garden so for me personally this will put 40 minutes on my journey each day. Everyone is saying how disgusted they are. It will affect people’s quality of life and will impact on things like childcare.”

The petition says the majority of trains on the new timetable will stop at more stations, notably Limehouse, West Ham and Barking, benefitting those who travel shorter journeys and have the option to use their TFL Oyster cards on the District line.

Those travelling longer distances, without the option of another line, will lose out.

It calls on the rail company to hold another public consultation before going ahead with the changes.

Peter Slatter, from the Southend Rail Travellers Association said: “There aren’t as many fast trains as before but we have been negotiating with c2c to try and keep a couple of them. There will be more starter trains from Leigh so passengers will be able to get a seat if they get on there or at Benfleet.

“c2c has said the metro trains won’t come down to Southend but will be used more in Grays and the Tilbury loop service to Upminster. We don’t want them down here. We don’t like the changes at all and have been negotiating for changes for a year but a lot of the details are what the Department for Transport says we have to have.”

To view the petition visit www.change.org and search c2c

c2c maintains it won’t use the smaller metro trains except in “exceptional circumstances” and people’s fears over journey times are unfounded.

A spokesman said: "c2c is currently the third-most overcrowded train operator in London and the south east, with some passengers standing from as far out as Benfleet. The new timetable will help more people on long journeys to get a seat, as well as improving Southend's connections with Canary Wharf and the West End.

"Southend passengers should not be standing on their journeys into London, and our modelling suggests that they won't be in the new timetable. Southend will also continue to be served by trains with the traditional layout that passengers are used to in the morning peak, except in exceptional circumstances."

Many of the fast trains which ran from Benfleet to Fenchurch street without stopping will now stop at Barking, West Ham and Lime House but the company maintains there will be minimal impact on journey times The spokesman added: “There are increases in journey time but they are marginal. From Westcliff, the journey time for the faster trains at peak are typically 53-54minutes instead of 50-53minutes. The fastest train of the morning becomes 52minutes instead of 48minutes. At off-peak times, the journey time is reduced in the new timetable.

“We have produced details to guide passengers on likely seat availability at: www.c2c-online.co.uk/media/7905085/seating-availability-by-station-new-december-2015-timetable.pdf.”

Angry residents took to c2c Facebook page to complain about the new timetable

Your new timetable is unfair on Chalkwell and Westcliff commuters. You’ve added 20 minutes to my husband’s commute, which when you’re getting up pre-6am is quite a lot.

Why take out the 7am fast train? Why are there no fast trains from Westcliff and Chalkwell any more?

Ellie Kimber

You have a relatively small number of people getting on at West Ham and then getting off again at either Barking or Upminster. You have chosen to increase capacity to suit the needs of a fairly small number of passengers and reduced the service of the longer distance and restricted passengers. I pay £3600 for my ticket into work and as it stands, it works pretty well.

Reducing the seating while also cutting out the fast trains for early morning commuters is not going to win you any popularity contests but then you have everyone over a barrel with your captive audience.

David English

Can only suggest we share on social media what's going on to raise awareness and hopefully many like us will voice their disappointment to c2c as well.

Luke Burkett