Nick Clegg Joins Rail Reservation Charge Petition Launch in Norwich

8.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th May 2009

Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, today attended a petition launch calling on National Express to abolish its proposed £2.50 seat reservation charge for some standard class passengers.

Mr Clegg launched the petition alongside Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, Simon Wright, and East of England MEP Andrew Duff.

Mr Wright said:

"This new charge amounts to a back-door fare rise. Passengers have already been hit several times in recent years by the increasing cost of rail travel, and this latest hike adds insult to injury."

"I'm delighted that Nick Clegg has signed up to oppose these new charges while visiting Norwich. Hopefully, the pressure will now build on National Express to abolish this charge."

Nick Clegg MP said:

"It's outrageous. Rail passengers already pay through the nose for a service that isn't good enough. They will be appalled that National Express is trying to squeeze more money out of them on the sly."