A train company posted a perfect response to a customer who complained about a “man in stockings and a dress”.

The TransPennine Express service operates major train routes in the North of England, connecting Manchester to Liverpool, Sheffield, Hull, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Scotland.

The franchise received a surprising complaint from a passenger in Leeds today, who was upset about sharing the carriage with a gender non-conforming traveller.

The complainant Gaz Cocks wrote: “Evening TPExpressTrains – ‘Guy’ on the seat opposite me is wearing stockings and a dress – what is that all about?”



While a lesser company may adopt a ‘the customer is always right’ philosophy, TPE refused to let the comments stand, and put the passenger in his place.

They hit back: “Probably something to do with it being the 21st century now. As long as they have a ticket, everyone is welcome on our trains ^ZS”

He responded to call the customer service representative a “[emoji bell] end”, so we’re not sure they learnt their lesson.

This might be our favourite response, though, from someone who saw the train company’s reply:



It could only be more perfect if the whole thing happened aboard the rainbow train, which was introduced in London last year for Pride.

Ahead of the 2015 Pride in London, TfL made over a Docklands Light Railway train in rainbow colours. The train is in service on the Canary Wharf to Stratford route.