A chauffeur company predicts more business clients will choose private cars over trains.

This comes as the Government is set to take over South Western Railway (SWR) on May 25.

Steve Rogers, owner and director of CLASS Executive Cars in Romsey, believes the nationalisation will lead to increased costs and unpredictability in rail services.

Steve said: "I have no doubt people are getting nervous about the standard of service they might expect."

CLASS Executive Cars, with more than 40 years of experience, offers a range of premium chauffeur services for private individuals and corporate clients.

These include executive travel, airport and cruise transfers, corporate hospitality, and special events.

Steve said: "The truth is a chauffeur-driven car is no longer a luxury.

"Increasingly, business clients are turning to us for value, speed, and discretion.

"At peak times a first-class rail ticket between Southampton Central Station and London Waterloo can be approaching £200 when you include parking.

"At CLASS, we charge from £55 per hour, so when you add into the equation two, three, or four executives, the rail cost can escalate to £800.

"At that point, a chauffeur-driven car becomes extremely cost-effective."

He also highlighted the advantage of privacy in a chauffeur-driven car, allowing managers to hold confidential meetings.

Jeremy Asher, director of Romsey-based Martock Diesel Services Ltd, said: "I use the train, but the fact is I can travel to London and indeed further afield in a chauffeur-driven executive car and make good use of the travel time by working in complete privacy.

"In my opinion, a chauffeur-driven executive car is terrific value for money, particularly when I’m travelling with colleagues."

Steve, a police-trained driver, has had a successful career with assignments at home and abroad.

Last year, he drove international rock artists like Green Day and Nile Rodgers and regularly meets industry leaders as their private jets land at Farnborough Airport.

In 2022, he chauffeured senior UEFA officials in England for the UEFA Women’s Championship, which saw the Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley.