LIB DEM KIRK SLAMS SEAT RESERVATION CHARGE PLANS

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th May 2009

Madeleine Kirk, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for York Outer, is backing calls from a top Lib Dem MP to force National Express to scrap plans to charge passengers in standard class for seat reservations.

The plans, which would introduce a £2.50 fee per single journey for seat reservations, have been condemned as "outrageous profiteering" by Lib Dems.

Norman Lamb MP (Lib Dem, North Norfolk) will today table an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling on National Express to scrap its plans. Local Lib Dem MPs Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough) and Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) are amongst those backing the motion.

Commenting, Madeleine Kirk said: "These fees would be the highest ever introduced by a private rail company in the UK. This comes on the back of 10% increase in fares over the past two years. National Express reported profits of £194million last year. They should be ashamed.

"The fact the fees will only apply in standard class is completely unfair and will hit those who are least able to afford them hardest. I am glad to see my Lib Dem colleagues taking action to try and prevent these outrageous fees, and hope all our local MPs will back this motion when it comes before Parliament."

The text of Norman Lamb's Early Dam Motion reads:

"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 per return journey is the highest seat-booking charge ever imposed by a private rail company in the UK and it follows an increase of over 10% in their 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 8 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 upon National Express to reconsider."