STANDARD class train passengers are being blocked from walking through first class carriages — in case they spill posh commuters’ tea.
Rail travellers have traditionally been allowed to move through the front sections before the train pulls into the station to get off closer to the platform gates.
AlamyStandard class train passengers have been blocked from walking through first class carriages[/caption]
But workers on LNER are now stopping the decades-old tactic — blaming the risk of people being scalded while tea is poured.
The change is even more galling for those enduring major delays because of Aslef strikes.
One passenger on the East Coast Main Line, which links London and Edinburgh, reported being halted from moving forward last week, with an empty tea trolley blocking their way.
The traveller said: “It was like something from a comedy.
“The tea lady was saying she couldn’t risk letting anyone through with so much hot tea about.
“They then parked an empty tea trolley across the vestibule and started filling in a ‘near-miss report’ over some tea that was ‘nearly’ spilled.”
The traveller said a passenger complained as he was running late for a connection owing to his train being cancelled by strikes.
A member of staff told him he was “cutting it fine”.
Our source went on: “Then a grumpy worker came through and said it wasn’t OK for passengers to feel frustrated by the situation.
“The staff in first class want to have their tea and cake and eat it.”
Another member of staff is said to have told frustrated standard class ticket-holders who are used to gaining valuable seconds by moving into first class: “You’re only saving 100 metres.”
The train operator claimed there had been no change of policy, but said: “We welcome all feedback as we look to further enhance the experience for customers when travelling with us.”