Coronavirus: Northamptonshire train operators u-turn over £10 fee for swapping tickets

Train operators have made a quick u-turn over charging Northamptonshire passengers who are forced to abandon journeys by the coronavirus outbreak.

London Northwestern and East Midlands Railway, who run services through the county, will scrap their policy of imposing a £10 fee on refunds for tickets booked in advance after furious passengers accused them of profiteering from the pandemic.

LNWR's customer experience director Lawrence Bowman, whose trains through Northampton between London and Birmingham, said: “We understand these are exceptional times and we are committed to playing our part in supporting the national effort to delay the coronavirus spread.

“We are changing our processes so our customers are able to receive their money back on refundable fares without an administration fee.

"For the cheapest advance tickets, which are not refundable, we will allow customers to change their ticket for free if they decide not to travel.”

Budget airlines announced last week they would allow passengers to cancel and rebook flights for free.

A spokesman for East Midlands Railway, which serves Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough, added they would be following suit.