Drive to Hove. Park up for free within 10 mins walk of station. Direct trains from Hove to Southampton. Whereabouts does he need to get to at the Southampton end?
In truth I go everywhere in my lovely car. Its my lovely oasis of personal space, with its lovely heated seats, and its lovely sound system crammed with 100+ albums of lovely music. I bloody hate public transport and the ignorant selfish people who decent folk are forced to share it with.
But I...
Better 2 hours each way on the train, relaxing, sleeping, catching up with films / TV on your iPad, or surfing the net, than what will ultimately end up being 2 hours each way sat in traffic, wearing yourself out, and getting stressed at delays, speed traps, near-misses, tail-gaters, doddery old...