Row over response to overcrowding

The email appears to suggest safety is passengers' responsibility

Rail operator First Great Western (FGW) has been criticised again over the issue of overcrowding on its trains.

It follows a complaint by passenger Tony Richards after FGW told customers if they felt unsafe on an overcrowded train they could always get off.

A spokesman said the e-mail sent to Mr Richards was not in line with company views and it was being investigated.

Earlier this month FGW said it would put on extra early morning services in response to overcrowding complaints.

Mr Richards had complained to the company after a journey, from Reading to Penzance in October, he described as a "nightmare".

Passenger responsibility

He told BBC News the reply appeared to indicate the company had no policy on overcrowding.

"We were shoulder to shoulder - you could not move an arm." he said.

"There was a lady with three young children, a suitcase and a buggy. She ended up holding one child. Another child was sitting on someone's suitcase and her third child was on the lap of a stranger."

Responding to his complaint, an FGW email said: "If a passenger boards an already crowded service, they are in effect saying to FGW that they agree to travel in those conditions.

"Ultimately if a passengers feels that the travelling conditions do pose a safety risk, the responsibility lies with the passenger in choosing to leave such a busy train."

'Quite ridiculous'

Mr Richards added: "It's as if they're saying they can sell as many tickets as they want."

The rail operator's response has also been criticised by the MP for St Ives.

Andrew George said: "First Great Western is in effect saying overcrowding is the fault of passengers and not the fault of the company.

"It's a strange world they inhabit and it's quite ridiculous."