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Leeds MP demands apology from rail staff
A LEEDS MP has demanded an apology after he was stopped by rail staff from taking his bicycle onto a London to Leeds train and called "stupid".
Fabian Hamilton, MP for Leeds North East, said he was treated in an "outrageous" way by National Express staff at London's King's Cross Station.
Mr Hamilton demanded the firm's bosses improve staff training on the East Coast Mainline, after he missed a train because of "bureaucratic intransigence".
The incident took place as Mr Hamilton attempted to board the 15.35 service to Leeds on Thursday.
A National Express ticket inspector told him he was not allowed on the train because he had failed to make a "bike reservation".
Mr Hamilton said there were no signs informing passengers that reservations were required and that no one else was taking a bicycle onto the train, which had space for five bicycles.
He said: "When I challenged this and explained that I had not had one on previous occasions and that if I had to queue up for one I would miss this train I was told that it was a rule and could not be broken.
"A different member of staff on the platform then made several rude gestures to another passenger about my stupidity for not realising that a reservation was compulsory – which I saw – and when I challenged him for being insulting, he simply turned away and said something under his breath to a colleague."
Mr Hamilton said he heard the member of staff calling him "stupid".
He then queued for another 20 minutes to make a bike reservation for the 16.10 train, which he boarded without even being asked to show his paperwork.
He added: "I am appalled that National Express are so inconsistent: either you need a reservation for a bike, or you don't. I think it's outrageous that they should abuse passengers in this way and I expect an apology.
"Why can't staff just use their common sense?
"Nowhere on the platform or station does it say that you need a bike reservation."
Mr Hamilton fired off a fierce letter of complaint to National Express bosses, pointing out that a First Class Return between London and Leeds now costs up to 308 – more than a one-way airline ticket to New York.
Sorry
A spokesman for National Express said a note would be circulated to guards to remind them that they should exercise their discretion in the future, although they should still explain that "strictly speaking" bicycle reservations are compulsory.
He said: "We are very sorry to hear that a member of staff at King's Cross behaved wholly inappropriately.
"Such behaviour is unacceptable and the matter is being investigated. We apologise unreservedly to Mr Hamilton for any distress caused.
"We make free provision for the carriage of a limited number of bicycles on every train.
"Because space is limited to carry the bikes safely and securely, a compulsory reservation system has been in place for many years, which is widely advertised."
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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