The French rail operator Connex will learn today whether it has succeeded in its bid to continue to run rail services in Sussex.

Connex is vying with Govia, which currently runs Thameslink, for the lucrative franchise. Both companies are promising an investment of around £1.5 billion on infrastructure and passenger facilities. But the big promises are falling on deaf ears among commuters.

Every morning since 1978 Shelley Atlas has made the same journey from Brighton to London, The same succession of stations, the same announcements, the same faces.

Thousands like her have a travel routine of up to five hours added to the grind of work. That's 25 hours a week on top of the nine to five.

It is an exhausting, frustrating experience, but necessary to earn the level of pay only London can provide.

During its four-year tenure of the South Central franchise, the French-owned operator Connex has received strong criticism for its efforts.

Users regularly complain of overcrowded stations, late trains, poor staffing and unpleasant facilities.

Shelley, as chairman of the Brighton Line Commuters, which has 165 members living along the coast between Eastbourne and Worthing, has become the voice of the bedraggled group.

She said: "When I first started commuting 22 years ago the service was terrible. Then for a while it got better.

"When Connex took over the South Central franchise in 1996 it all seemed better for a while. We got the express trains and there was a sense of optimism.

"But in recent years it has worsened again. The trains are in a bad state. We still have slam-door carriages. They are dangerous because people run for the train.

"That wouldn't happen if you had all-electronic doors."

Rival firm Govia, which owns Thameslink, has made a £1.5 billion bid to replace Connex and promises to revamp the whole network.

Connex has made a £1.4 billion bid to retain the franchise for the next 20 years, and proposes very similar improvements.

Industry rumour is rife that the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA) will choose Govia. But for Shelley and her members the quality of service, not the name on the sides of trains, is most important.

She said: "It's like listening to a load of party political broadcasts. They seem to say things that please customers.

"You don't really know what to believe. It's as if they are saying things and making promises to get the franchise in the first place."

Talk of billions of pounds to develop the South Central rail sector sounds good, but it is at the customer level that change becomes meaningful.

There is talk of starting a 35-minute service from Brighton to London.

Shelley and others pay more than £2,600 a year each to travel to London and back every day. They are looking for more immediate improvement.

The sense of alienation after parting with the money is apparent in Shelley's voice.

"When you get problems and delays there aren't any staff at the stations. The other day we were delayed at London Bridge.

"One of the passengers told us he was going to look for a member of staff. Everyone laughed because we knew he wouldn't find one.

"Imagine if it was an airport and the flight had been delayed and nobody spoke to customers.

"On Friday last week some customers had to wait five hours and there were no announcements."

The Brighton Line Commuters have not expressed a preference for Connex or Govia.

The SSRA has remained similarly tight-lipped over its decision.

Originally it was due to make an announcement in August.

Cynics might say the delay is because there is little of note to separate the two companies.

On the concourses and platforms of Sussex the feeling is little different.

Shelley said: "Things never seem to run properly on time for very long. People often have to make other connections.

"You just can't rely on the trains to get you to your destination on time. You have to get an earlier one.

"Most people don't like travelling on trains to work every day. There are some pleasant aspects, though.

"You see the same people again and make friends. Commuting is a necessary evil for most of us which we have to endure.

"All we are asking is that it is made as simple and easy as possible."