NATIONAL Express East Anglia’s plans to close its Norwich Call Centre and replace restaurant car dining with improved buffet and at-seat services on London-Norwich trains have come under fire from the RMT union.

The company admits that closure of the call centre – with transfer of its work to other locations and National Rail Enquiries – could mean a loss of 73 jobs, and says that its planned catering changes are in response to changing customer needs.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “In the last year National Express made £90 million in pre-tax profits on its rail revenues which, it has just announced, have increased by nine per cent, and these planned job cuts reveal that the company is more interested in profit margins than in providing a decent service.

“If the Government can nationalise the banks, it can take over rail franchises before they are run into the ground…”

A NatEx EA spokesperson said: “As any sensible business, we are undertaking a review to give greater focus on customer service and operational delivery. Our people are being consulted fully and the outcomes are being shaped by consultation with trade unions and elected staff representatives.”

- Industry observers have in the past praised what has been described as an excellent breakfast offer on the long-distance London to Norwich trains.