UNION leaders have hit out at "secret plans" to axe the buffet car on new East Coast services.
RMT is calling on the Department for Transport (DfT) to intervene after it emerged that the buffet car would be scrapped to make way for extra passenger seating when new rolling stock is introduced under the East Coast and First Great Western franchises.
Catering services for standard class passengers will instead be provided by an on-board trolley.
The change applies to the new Hitachi class-800 series trains, which will be introduced on East Coast services from 2019.
RMT said it had uncovered the plans in the small print of documents relating to the DfT's Intercity Express Programme, which is procuring the new fleet. The union said it would mean a poorer service for customers as well as staff job losses.
A spokesman for RMT said First Great Western had confirmed the move. He added: "We assume this will also be the case on East Coast, since it is using the same trains.
"We are calling on the Government to intervene. It is not too late to change the specifications. The trains have not been built yet, and we would urge the buffet car to be retained."
A spokeswoman for the DfT said: "The safety and comfort of both passengers and staff has been a top priority in the design of these trains and passengers and staff have been closely involved in the design process.
"Fixed kitchens as well as trolley facilities are included in the base design of the IEP train and there is scope to introduce buffet facilities if the new franchisee wants to offer this facility to its passengers."
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