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Investigation Launched After 'Only Fit Birds On This Train' Flashes Across Digital Screens

Investigation Launched After 'Only Fit Birds On This Train' Flashes Across Digital Screens

Furious rail bosses are now investigating the incident after passengers were offended by the 'very sexist' message

Nathan Standley

Nathan Standley

Rail bosses are investigating after the message 'only fit birds on this train' was displayed on a CrossCountry train in Berkshire, on the LED screen normally reserved for passenger information such as upcoming stops or travel advice.

Sitting on a train is most commonly a very boring affair where you while away the hours by reading, listening to music or, if you're particularly well prepared, watching Netflix. That's if you're not crammed in like sardines sweating in the vestibule.

Normally, there isn't a lot on the train to keep you entertained, unless there's an announcer or ticket collector with particularly good craic or maybe a D-list celebrity sitting nearby.

What you certainly wouldn't expect is anything other than the train's next stops or dreary travel advice to appear on the LED screens on each end of the carriage - let alone a sexist remark about the attractiveness of the train's female passengers.

The message appeared above the doors between carriages at around 8.30am between Basingstoke and Reading on the CrossCountry service between Winchester and Reading.

SWNS

And now fuming rail bosses are investigating as CrossCountry branded the incident 'unacceptable' and said they will speak to those with access to the onboard systems.

Passenger Tomasz Nicpon was unimpressed with the 'very sexist' message and said some of the other passengers were laughing and taking pictures.

He recalled: "One passenger said, 'I think somebody is drunk'.

"I was upset as sometimes I travel by train with my five-year-old daughter. How would I be able to explain this message to her? The message is very sexist.

"Some people on the train were laughing but other people, especially women, were not happy about this message."

PA

Tomasz, a health inspector who had taken the train to travel to work in Reading, added: "I have no idea how this happened but I believe someone unauthorised accessed the computer and changed it to display this message.

"In my opinion this could be a group of teenagers as I cannot imagine an adult writing this type of the message.

"Many passengers were initially unaware of the remark - but once people started taking pictures more stood up to see."

A spokesperson for CrossCountry said: "Shortly after the train's departure we were informed this message was being displayed and made immediate arrangements for its removal.

"Such language is unacceptable to everyone at CrossCountry and an investigation is currently underway involving those who had access to the onboard systems to determine who was responsible."

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, Fail, Trains

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