RMT says that the planned cuts would leave stations unstaffed at peak hours, reduce the help available to disabled passengers, and destroy award-winning catering facilities if restaurant cars are axed.

The company’s plans would also result in dirty trains if the number of train cleaners is cut, and would make access to simple service information frustratingly difficult if its dedicated call centre is closed, with calls diverted to the already overloaded national rail enquiries line.

The union will launch a postcard campaign early in the new year and will work with passengers and MPs to persuade National Express that its plans are unacceptable.

“In two days’ time National Express will increase fares by six per cent on East Anglia trains, despite the group raking in huge profits and handing shareholders £40 million in dividends in the first half of this year alone,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“Yet at the same time the company wants to cut more than 300 East Anglia jobs, which can only result in a worse service to passengers who are already paying through the nose for it, as well as a bleak future for railway workers who actually get out there and do the work.

“It is quite clear that National Express is putting the interests of its shareholders ahead of any consideration for providing decent services.

“For a company that promised to enhance passenger service when it took on the franchise that is unacceptable, and we hope that passengers will join us in telling National Express that their rail services are more important than its shareholders’ bank balances,” Bob Crow said.

ends

Notes to editors: National Express Group – from interim six months ended 30th June 08

* Interim dividend up 10%
* Dividends of £40.2m were paid during the period (up from £36.4m)
* Dividends of £19.4m were proposed for approval during the period (2007: £17.6m)
* Normalised operating profit up to £39.6m from £28.7m
* Passenger revenue growth of 9%
* Chairman Richard Bowker: “Trading in the UK is encouraging”