Crammed into aisles, passengers on four-hour ‘Third World service’

FURIOUS passengers accused a train operator of running a Third World service yesterday after they were crammed in a carriage like sardines.

Passengers returning from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to London Kings Cross complained of having to sit with their luggage in aisles and being unable to reach toilets or food trolleys.

Lachie Robertson, 35, from Melbourne, Australia, used the renationalised train service after supporting his wife during her Fringe show.

He dubbed London North Eastern Railway (LNER) ‘idiots’ after being forced to stand for the four-and-a-half hour journey as more people were allowed on at each stop.

He said a member of staff was seen taking pictures to send to bosses to show how unsafe conditions were.

Social media users hit out at Government-owned LNER, which replaced the Virgin Trains East Coast service in June. Mr Lachie posted the photographs on Facebook, writing: ‘The first five trains were all full. We only just managed to board the sixth (a three-hour wait). Not enough room to scratch yourself. Not sure why we bothered to book tickets ( months ago).’ Dereck McCready posted: ‘That is a safety issue. Time these companies get themselves sorted, charging first world prices for Third World service.’

LNER said the overcrowding on Monday had been made worse by engineering works.

A spokesman claimed customers had been warning trains would be busy and were urged to reserve seats or travel later. He also said first-class carriages had been declassified to free up space, but added: ‘We are sorry that this didn’t help all our customers.’