Southern Rail passengers’ anger after guard calls them ‘plebs’ over the tannoy
Southern said over the Gatwick Airport station slur: 'A member of our crew made an unwise attempt at humour'
A RAIL guard angered passengers by calling them “plebs” over the speaker.
He announced as they boarded: “Please move up the train to make way for these plebs getting on.
“There’s plenty of room at the front of the train.”
But the crewman apologised after some furiously confronted him.
He got back on the PA to grovel: “That previous announcement was meant to be a joke but I recognise it was a mistake.
“I’m sorry for any offence caused.”
One passenger fumed: “People were upset anyway as the train was late, so the comment didn’t go down well.
“I’m sure he meant no malice. But it was a joke that failed miserably.
“He was quite sheepish when he got back on to apologise. It wasn’t an appropriate thing to say and he accepted that.”
Train firm Southern also voiced regret last night over the Gatwick Airport station slur.
It said: “A member of our crew made an unwise attempt at humour that was not well-received by some passengers — for which he apologised.”
The blunder came as thousands of the firm’s passengers endured chaos sparked by new timetables. The shake-up saw Southern and other train operators delay or scrap dozens of services.
- GOT a news story? RING us on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk