A train company has been branded a “disgrace” by union chiefs after it emerged some of its new fleet will have no toilets on board.
Southern Railways opted to forgo the facilities on its latest trains running on the Portsmouth to Brighton service.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ union (RMT) called the decision “unacceptable” because of the one-and-a-half-hour-long journey.
The firm said it was not unusual and other trains did not have toilets.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow called the move “unacceptable” and said it run the risk of turning carriages into “stinking cattle trucks” creating appalling conditions for passengers and staff.
“One and a half hours without any toilet facilities on board is unacceptable”
Bob Crow RMT general secretary
“The route has always had toilets on board in the past,” he said.
“This is the main connection between two major cities on the South coast.
“One and a half hours without any toilet facilities on board is unacceptable.”
He said RMT was already set to ballot members of Southern Railways for industrial action after cuts to security led to an increase in assaults on staff.
A Southern Railways spokeswoman said its new fleet of trains was to increase passenger capacity.
The Department for Transport said there were no rules on whether or not toilets should be available on trains.
“We expect rail companies to provide a good service,” he added.
“However, it is not for the Government to micromanage the industry.”
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.