Now train strike hits holiday travellers

Thousands of rail commuters and holidaymakers faced another day of travel misery today on the second half of a 48-hour strike by National Express East Anglia staff.

The operator's timetable to and from Liverpool Street was brought to a virtual standstill. An hourly emergency service to London was running from Colchester, Southend Victoria and Norwich.

On one of the year's busy getaway days for summer holidaymakers, the Stansted Express airport service was reduced to running once an hour instead of every 15 minutes.

Rail unions RMT and Aslef have ordered three more 48-hour stoppages on successive Thursdays and Fridays in the continuing dispute over pay and working conditions. There were hopes for talks next week to try to avert further disruption.

National Express East Anglia faces paying ticket refunds of more than £1 million for each day of the strikes. Its tickets were being accepted on c2c, First Capital Connect and East Midlands Trains on strike days. Transport for London buses and London Underground were accepting the operator's Travelcards or season tickets.

As the second day of travel misery was unfolding, it emerged that RMT leader Bob Crow spent more than £1 million on newsletters and leaflets to promote disputes to union members.

Papers leaked to the Standard also show Mr Crow was given a pay rise of £8,000 to £122,167. His basic salary last year was £84,923. He also received £9,156 in national insurance contributions and £28,088 in pension contributions. The RMT also spent more than £110,000 on cars for officials to travel to conferences.

An RMT spokesman said: "Our members expect us to invest heavily in communications. The general secretary's pay is decided at the annual general meeting and there has not been a single complaint from any members about it."