Smash hit

“If you receive a refund but then find a seat that will just be tough luck for us.

“We don’t believe it’s right to pay the full fare if you have to stand for any part of the journey. In every other industry people expect to get what they pay for. Railways should be no different.”

The Rail Passengers Council welcomed the proposal and called on other train companies to adopt the principle.

Anthony Smith, the council’s director, said: “This is simple and fair and will put pressure on other operators to follow suit. “If every seat is already taken then the train company is already making money and can afford to give a part-refund to those who don’t get a seat.”

Mr Smith, spent 20 years working for British Rail, lattering as area manager for the North East, said new entrants to the industry, such as Grand Central, played a key role in challenging the existing big five train companies which had become complacent.

Grand Central is funded by a group of Northern businessmen who wish to remain anonymous. The company has so far spent £1.25 million developing its proposals.

It plans to attract an additional 400,000 passengers a year to the railway by running direct services between London and Bradford and Sunderland. Passengers on these routes currently have to change trains because GNER has claimed there is “no business case” for running direct services.

GNER, which is lobbying MPs in an effort to deny Grand Central access to the network, defended its policy of refusing to give any refund to passengers who had to stand.

A spokesman said: “If you choose to buy a walk-up ticket the trade-off is that you take a gamble on whether you get a seat. We encourage people to make a reservation to avoid a less comfortable journey.”

The Office of Rail Regulation is considering Grand Central’s proposal and will make a decision in January. If approved, services would start in December next year.

TICKET TO RIDE

The current standard open return fare compared with Grand Central’s proposed maximum fare (in brackets) Sunderland £200 (£60)
Hartlepool £186 (£55)
Bradford £156 (£55)
Halifax £156 (£53)

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