From
the Morning StarRAIL union RMT▸ exposed the destructive practices of “profiteering machine” Trainline today as the firm reported a double-digit growth in revenues.
The travel booking website reported that ticket sales in the six months to August 31 had jumped by 14 per cent to £3 billion, which boosted revenues by 17 per cent to £229 million.
Before the announcement, RMT had surveyed 2,600 rail workers about the firm, uncovering numerous problems such as bogus tickets, excessive pricing and confusing fare options.
More than 90 per cent of the respondents reported that the firm failed to provide passengers with the best value fare and sells tickets that are invalid for the intended journeys, forcing many customers to pay again or face penalties.
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The company insisted that “this RMT attack is riddled with errors,” adding that it was continuing to invest in new technology and working in partnership with the government to make rail travel easier.
Despite reporting that it had doubled its pre-tax profits to £46.5m, Trainline announced plans yesterday to cut its workforce.
The company did not reveal how many jobs would be lost in a drive to slash costs by £1m.