SOUTH Essex commuters have become the first in the country to receive automatic compensation when their train is delayed.

c2c, whose new timetable has proved controversial as regular commuters call for a revert to their old schedule, have launched their automatic delay repay scheme to season ticket holders and daily travellers.

They will be able to receive automatic compensation without needed to fill out any forms or make a claim – even if their train is only delayed by a few minutes.

c2c managing director Julian Drury said: “We know passengers want to be able to claim their money back when delayed easily and simply.

“At c2c we are proud to be the first train operator in the country to offer this automatic compensation to daily commuters, and it is available for those who have paid the most for their journey.

“Our first priority remains to get you to work on time, but if we fail we will make sure we give you the money you are owed.”

The compensation is available to anyone who travels using a c2c Smartcard who simply need to tap in and tap out at the start and end of their journey.

Almost one in four c2c annual season ticket holders currently use a Smartcard and they will be entitled to cash back for delays as little as two minutes.

Compensation amounts will start at three pence and increase by the same amount for every additional minute up until 29 minutes.

If you are delayed for 30 minutes or more you will get 50 percent of the single journey back.

That increases to 100 per cent of the single journey for a delay of an hour or more, and if it is delayed by two hours or more then passengers will receive 100 per cent of their return journey price.

David Sidebottom, passenger director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: "This is a great step forward and we would like to see this system introduced across all operators.

“Our research has found many passengers do not claim the compensation they are entitled to, so we welcome c2c’s plan to introduce this system.”

James Duddridge, Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East, whose Tory colleague for Southend West, Sir David Amess, has set up a Government e-petition calling for c2c to revert to their old timetable, has welcomed the automatic delay repay.

He said: “Whilst I know all the staff at c2c strive to run the services to time, occasionally there will be times when trains are delayed.

“Customers will be able to receive compensation easily without the need for extensive form filling.

“No doubt if this scheme is a success other operators will look to offer such a system for their passengers. Well done to c2c for developing this customer focused scheme.”