Rail companies are coming under fire after a 'shoddy' first day of the new timetable that was intended to ‘improve’ people's travel experiences.

There was major disruption across dozens of routes as seven times more alterations than normal were made to schedules due to new services being launched.

Hundreds of trains have been cancelled and delayed today and more are likely to be affected during rush hour this evening.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - which consists of Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express - saw 160 cancellations (7 per cent of the schedule) and 213 delays (12 per cent) by 4.30pm.

But, The Department for Transport told the Press Association that neither Mr Grayling nor rail minister Jo Johnson were available to speak to the media.

The Aslef union said not enough drivers have been trained on new routes and rolling stock.

An official said the union had asked the company to start training drivers last summer, but it only started in February.

A spokesman for Northern admitted it had been a "difficult morning" for some passengers, particularly on routes around north Manchester extending to Blackpool.

"We are very sorry for the delays and cancellations they have experienced," he said.

Govia and Southern are yet to issue a response to the mass chaos that has ensued today.

With so many delays, angry passengers flooded train operator social media accounts with complaints.

One Twitter user posted a message to Northern which read: "Total shambles - first day of new timetables and it's even worse than before - if that's even possible! Your service is shameful!!"

Many of the changes are a result of the £7 billion invested in the Thameslink programme in the South East, including rebuilding London Bridge Station, new trains and track improvements.

GTR's new timetable was developed from scratch and was designed to tackle existing issues by extending stop times at busier stations and increasing turnaround times at destination stations.

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