Catering service to be withdrawn from Hastings to London trains

Catering trolleys are to be withdrawn from trains travelling between Hastings and London Victoria this weekend, much to the dismay of a rail group.

Southern is expected to stop selling drinks and snacks on the route, which calls at Rye and stations in Bexhill, on July 26.

The train operator says demand for the service has fallen sharply with the rise in the number of coffee shops and food outlets in its stations.

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But the Bexhill Rail Action Group (BRAG) has criticised the firm for its decision.

A spokesperson for the group said: “BRAG is dismayed by this news, as this facility is particularly welcome to passengers with long journey times - of which Bexhill is a prime example.”

Southern says customer feedback shows the trolley is no longer passengers’ ‘preferred service’.

A Southern spokesman said: “The popularity of station coffee shops and food outlets has steadily increased as we have invested in and developed our stations over the past few years with the majority of passengers opting to purchase food and drinks before they board their train.

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“The number of customers who want to use the on-board trolley service tells us that this is no longer our customers’ preferred service and so our current on-board trolley service will end on July 26 when Southern Railway joins the Govia Thameslink Railway franchise.”

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