Plans have been unveiled to boost train capacity - with space for at least an extra 40,000 passengers per day on the Southeastern network.

The Department for Transport announced today it will introduce improved, longer, more comfortable trains and fast wifi connectivity by 2022.

The region will also become the first in the country to have a new joint team running day-to-day operations for track and train to cut delays and improve performance.

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But the next operator of the South Eastern franchise will be told to remove first-class accommodation on all services within 18 months of taking over - to increase space for all commuters.

The plans announced today by Rail Minister Paul Maynard come as the competition for the next company to run the franchise was launched today.

Under the plans, the network will be the first in the country where a single director is responsible for a joint team, made up from the train operator and Network Rail, that operates the trains and the tracks and is accountable for the performance of the network.

Bidders will need to show how they can deliver extra services and more space for passengers on services across the region, as well as providing greater connectivity, smarter ticketing systems and improved compensation.

The next operator must:

• Provide longer trains and upgrade or replace older trains, creating space for at least an extra 40,000 passengers
• Introduce fast Wi-Fi on all services, making journeys more productive and enjoyable for passengers
• Bring in improved compensation with a simple, easy to claim system that will provide a refund after 15 minutes
• Introduce new smart ticketing systems, including a pilot for pay-as-you-go
• Improve customer service, with staff better able to respond quickly to passengers' needs
• Deliver significantly enhanced cooperation between Network Rail and operator through a new structure designed to increase the reliability of the railway and put the passenger first in all decision making.

Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: "We are investing in the biggest railway modernisation for over a century. Today marks a major step forward in giving passengers better journeys across the South East and beyond.

"We’ve listened carefully to passengers and have introduced innovative new plans that see smoother, more comfortable journeys for passengers, with new, longer trains and more space.

"South Eastern will be also - for the first time - be run by a joint team from the operator and Network Rail under a single director – responsible for day-to day performance and accountable to passengers."

South Eastern services carry 640,000 passenger journeys a day, and will soon need to integrate seamlessly with future Thameslink and Crossrail services to transform the way people travel across London, the South East.

The next operator must also meet tough targets for improved Wi-Fi to increase the speed of data connection and coverage on trains.

And when passengers are delayed, travellers must be able to claim compensation quickly and easily when their journey is delayed by more than 15 minutes under an improved Delay Repay scheme.

More than 10,000 responses were received for the Department’s consultation on the future of South Eastern.