RAIL travellers could get automatic compensation for c2c trains which arrive as little as two minutes late, a new company boss has revealed.

Clare McCaffrey has been appointed as c2c’s first commercial director, taking on a range of “consumer-friendly products,”

such as automatic compensation for commuters on services which are anything from two minutes late.

The policy, to be trialled from December, will see passengers compensated for each minute the service is delayed up to 29 minutes.

After that period, they will receive 50 per cent of the value of their ticket for any delay up to an hour.

Beyond an hour, the ticket will be refunded in full.

The scheme relies on commuters switching to “smart”

forms of paying for tickets such as over the internet, using travel smartcards, credit cards or the c2c Live app, another priority for the company.

Ms McCaffrey joins c2c, which prides itself on being one of the most punctual in the country, after six years as director of strategic sales and marketing for car rental giant Hertz.

She said: “I’m really excited by this new opportunity.

“c2c has established an excellent reputation with many local customers and we’re looking to build on these strong foundations with the new products we’re developing.”

Julian Drury, managing director of c2c, which links Shoeburyt with London Fenchurch Street, added: “As well as welcoming Clare, I would like to say a really huge thanks to our interim commercial director, Ruth Harrison- Wood, who joined us to lead the launch of the new c2c franchise.

“Her drive, energy and huge consumer-oriented experience has already transformed the business that Clare is now picking up.''

Commuters have welcomed the new plans.

Andy Hankey, 37, from Westcliff, said: “I have to say c2c is a good company and very reliable, but I think it’s a good gesture to come up with this initiative so commuters and other travellers know where they stand.

“I guess it also sets standards for the company because it won’t want to hand out too much in compensation.”

Laura Smithson, 29, from Leigh, added: “Finally, there is a train company that seems to be putting customers first. It’s good news.”

Paul Adams, 44, from Prittlewell, added: “I travel on the Abellio Greater Anglia route.

I’d love c2c to run that route.”