SEAT RESERVATION CHARGES AND NATIONAL EXPRESS

That this House notes with disapproval the decision of National Express to introduce charges for seat reservations on its train services in East Anglia and on the East Coast Mainline; observes that the charge of £2.50 per single and £5 return journey is the highest seat-booking charge ever imposed by a private rail company in the UK and that it follows an increase of over 10 per cent. in its train fares over the last two years; further notes that the charge will only apply in standard class which will hit families and the elderly hardest as these groups often cannot risk being forced to stand on long train journeys; observes that the longest timetabled journey on National Express services is in excess of eight hours and that forcing people to pay extra to guarantee a seat on these services represents outrageous profiteering by National Express; further notes that National Express Group reported profits of £194 million last year; and calls on National Express to reconsider this unfair and disappointing policy as a matter of urgency.