Rail passengers will be able to claim compensation if there is more than 15 minutes train delays.
'Delay Repay 15' has been announced announced by the Department for Transport, meaning even minor delays could be compensated.
Existing compensation rules mean passengers can only claim pay outs when services are delayed by at least 30 minutes, but one railway regulator estimates just one in five people actually do so.
Only three in four GTR trains arrived on time between August 21 and September 17 this year with almost one in 10 cancelled or arriving more than 30 minutes late, Network Rail figures show.
The scheme will be launched first on Southern trains, which have suffered months of disruption over disputes about the role of conductors.
It will then feature on other Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) services in the coming months before being rolled out across the country.
A DfT spokeswoman could not give a start date for the scheme but said it would apply to Southern services 'soon'.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: 'We recognise that, above all else, passengers want a reliable train service, but when things do go wrong it is vital that they are compensated fairly.
'Delay Repay 15 is a major improvement for passengers and we are working with train companies to make it as easy as possible for passengers to claim their rightful compensation.
'Together with the Consumer Rights Act, this policy shows we are putting passengers first and making sure they receive due compensation for poor service.'
John Larkinson, director of railway markets and economics at the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said: 'Our previous research shows around 80% currently don't claim.
'Train operators need to build on today's announcement by continuing to raise awareness of passengers' compensation rights and to make sure it is as easy as possible to claim.'
Following its introduction on GTR, Delay Repay 15 will be launched across the network, starting with the new South Western, West Midlands and South Eastern franchises.
Stephen Joseph from Campaign for Better Transport said: 'Southern's long-suffering passengers deserve more than this, including a freeze or even reductions on fares to recognise the horrendous service they've been getting.
'Poor performance on the railways is not just limited to delays and we welcome the fact that the new Consumer Rights Act will cover the quality of rail journeys as well.'
GTR runs four services: Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express. All future DfT rail franchises will include a requirement to introduce this policy.
Here is the complete to structure how much you claim compensation for Delay Repay 15.
1. 15 to 29 minutes 25% of the single fare for delays
2. 30 to 59 minutes - 50% of the single fare for delays
3. 60 minutes to 119 minutes - 100% of the single fare for delays
4. Two hours or more - 100% of the total ticket cost (including if it is a return)
John Larkinson, director of railway markets and economics at the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said: 'Our previous research shows around 80% currently don't claim.
'Train operators need to build on today's announcement by continuing to raise awareness of passengers' compensation rights and to make sure it is as easy as possible to claim.'
Following its introduction on GTR, Delay Repay 15 will be launched across the network, starting with the new South Western, West Midlands and South Eastern franchises.
Stephen Joseph from Campaign for Better Transport said: 'Southern's long-suffering passengers deserve more than this, including a freeze or even reductions on fares to recognise the horrendous service they've been getting.
'Poor performance on the railways is not just limited to delays and we welcome the fact that the new Consumer Rights Act will cover the quality of rail journeys as well.'
GTR runs four services: Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express. All future DfT rail franchises will include a requirement to introduce this policy.
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