The South East will see growing demand for rail services

The predicted rise suggested by South West Trains (SWT) is more than double previous industry estimates.

Some 440,000 passengers use SWT trains every day, mainly into and out of London's Waterloo station.

The firm is increasing capacity on some of its most crowded routes, including the London to Portsmouth line, with measures including longer trains.

'Extra seats'

The company said its plans for the new franchise, which begins in February 2007, included:

• 21% more mainline peak capacity and a 20% increase in peak suburban capacity
• Bringing 17 more trains into service
• Maximum-length trains on almost all peak services
• An additional morning service from Basingstoke to Waterloo

A spokesman from SWT's owner, Stagecoach, said the company believed they could achieve a 50% increase in passenger numbers over the next decade.

"Within the franchise specification set by the Government, we have put in place detailed plans to manage that predicted growth, including significant extra capacity at peak times.

"By May 2007, for example, there will be an extra 4,500 seats available during both the morning and evening peak periods," he said.