Train company brings in booking fees

3.17.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th May 2009

Chelmsford's train operator National Express East Anglia is bringing in a booking fee for people who wish to reserve seats. The Liberal Democrats have attacked the decision, saying it will hurt the elderly and infirm particularly badly.

Essex Lib Dem MP Bob Russell has used a Parliamentary news service to criticise the plan. His message, posted on "Gallery News", reads: National Express East Anglia are 'fining' the elderly and infirm by forcing them to pay a booking fee for seats.

Mr Russell said, "I am appalled at this decision by National Express East Anglia. It comes hard on the heels of this company announcing the loss of some 300 jobs and the closure of the restaurant car service.

"This represents a 'fine' on those travellers for whom reserving a seat is of importance to them, in some cases because they are frail or for other personal reasons they need the guarantee of a seat.

"No doubt the loose wording of the Franchise allows National Express to do this. However, it is clearly contrary to the spirit of what they promised customers when they won the contract for this part of the country - we were promised a better service, but a charge such as this is not an improvement."