Virgin calls for all-reserved ‘airline style’ railways

Virgin has unveiled proposals for making intercity trains all-reserved, as Eurostar is now. The plan, which has been submitted to the railway review being led by Keith Williams for the Department for Transport, would end the concept of a ‘walk on’ railway as far as longer distance travel was concerned. Virgin said its reforms would mean no more standing passengers in normal circumstances, because when a train was fully booked no more tickets would be available. There would also be an end to peak and off-peak fares as such, because each seat would be offered at rates which could change as the train concerned became busier. The RMT has condemned the idea, saying it would lead to ‘total chaos’.