Commuters derail plans to take buffet car out of service

THE last remaining restaurant car on the National Express East Anglia train line has won a temporary stay of execution thanks to customer complaints.

The sit-down buffet carriage on London's commuter network was due to be axed on Friday but company bosses have delayed the closure until early March to test a new version of its "at seat" trolley service.

The decision follows a wave of outrage from passengers who use the popular restaurant carriage on a daily basis. Brian Ayers, a regular for 15 years, said: "The service is a mark of civilisation. Cancelling it is a further retreat from civilised values. It is appalling."

Commuters have become accustomed to dishes such as crayfish tails (£4.95), fillet steak (£16.95) and pear and quince tart (£4.25), as well as a 12-bottle wine list on the buffet car.

Passengers travelling on a weekday service can enjoy a three-course dinner, lunch, breakfast and afternoon tea.

Anyone with a ticket can dine in the 24-seat carriage, a fixture on the Liverpool Street to Norwich route since the 1960s - as long as they spend more than £10.95 per person.

Other London commuter dining car services, such as the Brighton Belle and the Bournemouth Belle, were withdrawn decades ago.

Lucy Mayhew, a City broker, travels on the line daily. She said the restaurant carriage was the "jewel on the service". National Express, which is increasing fares by six per cent from 2 January, said it was looking at all options but said the service was loss-making and only beneficial to one per cent of its customers.

Andrew Chivers, managing director of National Express East Anglia, said it was assessing customer feedback to ensure people were happy with any alternative provided.

He said: "We have listened to and taken account of the wide range of views that have been expressed."