A commuter was left 'utterly humiliated' when he was escorted off his train by police officers for moving to first class because there were no seats in the standard carriage.
Edward White, 26, claims there were no seats or anyone 'safe' to stand on his 8.07 train from Wilnecote in Staffordshire to Birmingham New Street on March 27.
So he moved into the first class carriage of the CrossCountry train, which he says only had four other passengers in.
Police claim they were alerted to a 'fare evader' and told the train manager, who sat with him for the rest of the journey to Birmingham, before sending two officers to take him off the train when they arrived.
He said: 'I have never been in any trouble with law enforcement and can honestly say I have never been so utterly humiliated as to have been escorted off the train, by a train manager who was openly smirking, and the two police officers.'
Edward White, 26 (pictured) claims there were no seats or anyone 'safe' to stand on his 8.07 train from Wilnecote in Staffordshire to Birmingham New Street on March 27
Mr White, who has been making the same journey every day for seven years, said he was 'mortified' to be met by officers at New Street after he refused to move.
The 26-year-old - who pays £142 for a monthly pass - told the train manager he would not be returning to the 'unsafe' zones, but ended up paying the £16 single first class charge anyway.
He said: 'I have never been in any trouble with law enforcement and can honestly say I have never been so utterly humiliated as to have been escorted off the train, by a train manager who was openly smirking, and the two police officers. '
Mr White was also told he could not deduct the price of a standard fare from the first class charge.
He added: 'I was mortified. The embarrassment of being questioned by police officers for something so trivial was ridiculous. It was made all the worse by the conduct of the train manager.
'They were quite abrasive. I politely said to the train manager that I felt it was unsafe in the crowded standard area, that I had a valid standard ticket and wanted to use one of the vacant seats.
'The train manager then entered the secure area at the front of the carriage for the remainder of the journey to Birmingham New Street.
'I'd like CrossCountry staff to put themselves in the shoes of commuters, who see the price of annual tickets increased every year, only to face constant delays and overcrowded services.
'There needs to be more consistency among their staff in assuring their customers can travel in a safe and comfortable environment.
'CrossCountry should also review what it feels constitutes contacting emergency services, as in this instance it was wholly unnecessary.'
Mr White (pictured) was escorted off the train when he arrived in Birmingham after refusing to move
Mr White said he and other passengers had previously sat in first class when all other seats were taken and had never experienced any problems.
He has asked CrossCountry for a refund on the first class upgrade he bought.
A BTP spokesman said: 'I can confirm officers attended a report of a fare evader on board a train travelling between Nottingham and Cardiff Central. The report was made at 8.16am on March 27.
'Officers met the train at Birmingham New Street, however this turned out to be a civil matter and the incident was resolved by railway staff.'
A CrossCountry spokesman said the company was looking into the matter.
They said: 'Crowding can occur on trains at the busiest times and, although this can feel uncomfortable, the trains remain safe.
'However, even if a train is busy, unless the staff on board give permission then customers holding standard tickets are not allowed to sit in the first class area without paying the first class fare.'
A CrossCountry spokesman said the company was looking into the matter. File image
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News Photo Wilnecote Staffordshire commuter escorted from CrossCountry train by police after first class row
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