Five thousand extra passengers are using Southeastern trains every morning. with more than 4,000 on high-speed trains, according to the rail operator.

The company rejected any suggestion that fewer passengers than expected were switching to high-speed which was launched in December. Southeastern said the increase reflected the success of the new service, as well as a new timetable.

Southeastern revealed that three quarters of all journeys made from Canterbury West to London - now just over an hour apart - were on high-speed trains.

More than half of High Speed passengers are using the North Kent service, with slightly less than half coming from other parts of the network.

Vince Lucas, Southeastern service delivery director said: "Before the start of the High Speed there was some concern that the additional cost, which is what pays for the service, would put passengers off but this has not proven to be the case. Many are prepared to pay what is the cost of a morning coffee and croissant to save what could be up to two hours a day on their commute."

A Southeastern spokesman said the number of passengers using high-speed was in line with expectations. "We are certainly happy with how things are progressing," he said.

Recession has hit passenger growth across the rail industry, but Southeastern says passenger numbers are still growing but at a slower rate than before the downturn.

Meanwhile, Southeastern achieved its best ever customer satisfaction score in the Spring National Passenger Survey. It showed that eight out of 10 people who use Southeastern found the service satisfactory or good.