Thousands of early morning commuters will have to get up even earlier to get to work on time following the biggest national train time table reshuffle in 40 years.

The changes, introduced on Monday, December 13, mean more frequent peak-time services for many Surrey and south west London commuters. However, there are fewer early morning trains and some journeys will take longer.

South West Trains, which carries 400,000 passengers each day and serves Waterloo, has made some of the biggest changes.

John Friedberger, deputy chairman of the Rail Passengers Council (RCP), said: "The new South West Trains timetable in particular has many journeys longer. RPC in Southern England has protested vigorously at the practice of making punctuality targets easier to hit it gives a train more time to reach its destination."

Some passengers will welcome the extra services, including those who travel from Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge, Ewell West, Stoneleigh and Motspur Park. However, some smaller stations' services have been reduced and the average stopping times at stations have increased. Some fast trains will stop at more stations.

Speaking on Monday Tony Adams, chairman of the pressure group, Kingston Area Travellers Association, said: "We will be surprised if the new timetable works. There may be more trains in the peak times but overall I believe we have lost trains."

South West Trains spokesman Michael Cavanagh said the main benefit for Kingston will be more late trains from Waterloo.

The last train to Kingston from Waterloo on weekdays now leaves at 12.42am.

Mr Cavanagh admitted while there were some problems reported, "generally it was a pretty good start".

South West Trains has not made major alterations to its timetable since 1967. The changes are part of an EU-wide standardisation of train timetables.

hsummers@london.newsquest.co.uk