Disaffected commuters could be offered a fare cut to lure them back to rail travel when a new operator takes over Sussex services.

Govia - which will take over the South Central network from Connex - plans fare incentives to bring back passengers who have given up on rail travel following months of disruption.

Spokesman Martin Walter said: "We are looking at new trains, more and better services.

"If that all works, coupled with improvements in the infrastructure and raising standards, that is going to be good in terms of more people moving about at a reasonable cost.

"We always look at incentives in the fares and we will continue to look at that.

"We will be looking at opportunities to try to minimise fares and create more people on the trains."

Govia could take control of the network in March. Its other planned projects include improving the Brighton to London service and upgrading stations.

Many commuters have abandoned the trains in the wake of delays caused by extreme weather and urgent engineering works which followed October's Hatfield rail disaster.

Richard Branson's Virgin group is offering a half-price fare deal to entice passengers back, and other operators are considering following suit.

A spokesman for Connex said it would make a decision after it had canvassed the views of its passengers.

He said: "It would be easy to cut fares but we are not sure that is what customers want. I think they realise what is needed is a reliable service and that that needs investment."