Connex South Central, with its yellow waist-coated staff, has gone.

And the 64,000 dollar question is: "Will the Go Ahead Group, now in charge of South Central Railways, give us a better service?"

Our city and towns in Sussex have to attract investment to provide jobs for the future. Good communications are essential and a first class railway service is also important for social reasons.

How will South Central measure up? I had a friend who was a long-term student, a geography teacher who didn't like his pupils, a gardener, a computer consultant and a biker, who then embarked on a career with Connex. He served me with a cup of tea wearing his yellow waistcoat. "How do you find the job?" I asked. "Oh, it's not too bad, Tim," he said. "I will soon be a driver."

I spoke to a Marsid Greenidge, spokesman for South Coast. The good news was 240 new trains would start arriving in the New Year and the company would do its very best to improve its services. Staff relations were better.

"What about your problems?" I asked Mr Greenidge. Wait for it. "I'm afraid we have a shortage of drivers," he said. I thought about my friend. He has moved to the West Country. Come to think of it, he may now be a Virgin driver.

I have been told by an old railwayman it is feasible to run a train from Brighton to London every five minutes. Can we have a service from Brighton along the lines of the Gatwick Express?

Mr Greenidge thought it a good idea but did not think they had enough access to the track. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"We share our tracks with Thameslink, Virgin, Connex South East and Thames Trains," he explained. "Then there are the problems with Railtrack."

"Is there any hope for the future?" I asked. "Of course," he replied. "But we need more investment, particularly from Railtrack."

I suppose things could be worse. A little later, I rang for some more information. South Central apologised for the delay - "your call will be answered shortly".

I wonder, will the Go Ahead Group live up to its name?