Train operator London Midland has been accused of treating Cobblers fans with “contempt” after axing a cheap ticket deal for the day of the Wembley play-off final.
The GroupSave deal allows three or four people to travel for the price of two, but next Saturday, the deal will not be available at Northampton station until midday - just an hour-and-a-half before the match against Bradford City starts.
Normally, the deal would be available all morning.
Customers attempting to buy GroupSave tickets from Northampton station have been refused - but the Chron understands some customers have been advised they can get round the issue by buying online, or buying a GroupSave from Long Buckby station.
London Midland has said the offer is not available because the services will be too busy.
Northampton South MP Brian Binley, who is also chairman of Northampton Rail Users’ Group, has written an open letter to the company, asking it to reverse the decision.
He said: “It is amazing that London Midland should treat the people of Northampton with such contempt, when they are one of its biggest customer bases.
“I’ve heard of people being petty, but this is petty in the extreme. To withdraw this concession is purely and simply to make money out of Northampton Town supporters.
“I understand that unofficially, you can get GroupSave tickets if you say you’re travelling from Long Buckby, which makes it even more contemptible.
“I’m going to get on to London Midland straight away to find out what the hell they are playing at.”
Cobblers fan Kevin Scott-Evans, aged 59, of Upton, was refused a group save deal when he went to buy his tickets for a group of about 30 fans.
He said: “It’s rubbish. If they really wanted to provide a service of any sort, they would be providing extra trains and drivers. “They are saying if there are too many people they will stop them getting on.”
A London Midland spokesman said: “The GroupSave tickets aren’t available for travel up until midday on the day as we are expecting services to be especially busy.
“We are currently looking at a number of options to ensure that the maximum amount of fans can get to Wembley by train. It promises to be a great day for the town and the football club and we wish Aidy Boothroyd and the team all the best for the final.”