A MAN with no legs who faced the humiliation of being escorted off a packed train by police for not having a disabled rail card says he has not yet had an apology from operator Virgin.
Two weeks ago we exclusively revealed how Michael Rimmer, 51, was told to leave the London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street service at Coventry station.
When he bought his ticket he explained he didn’t have a disabled pass but was given a 34% discount anyway because he was in a wheelchair.
But when the train guard came to check his ticket on the return journey he asked Mr Rimmer to pay the difference or leave at the next station.
Mr Rimmer refused to get off and when staff called for two police officers to come on board to take him off he had to crawl along the aisle in front of a packed train to get to his wheelchair.
He was put on the next Virgin service an hour later by the station manager and upgraded to first class and given meal vouchers.
A spokesman for Virgin Trains said they were sorry for his “unfortunate experience” and as a gesture of goodwill refunded the price of his and his wife’s tickets and offered him a free first-class journey of his choice.
But Mr Rimmer, who lives in Broxton Road, Ellesmere Port, said: “I’ve not heard anything from Virgin. I’ve not received a phone call or a letter of apology.
“It’s only through reading the Pioneer that I know that they are going to refund the tickets and offer us a free journey. I’m amazed they have not been in contact.”
When we contacted Virgin a spokesman said a letter had been sent in the post on Friday with a full refund and details of the free first-class journey offer.
