THE boss of an under-fire train company stopped commuters from sitting in an almost empty first class carriage on an overcrowded train before taking up two seats himself.

Govia Thameslink head of operations Mark Boon refused to let them take empty seats on a "late and packed" Southern Rail service into London Victoria - before spreading out in comfort himself.

9 Govia Thameslink head of operations Mark Boon takes up two seats on the service Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Govia Thameslink includes failing train firms Southern Rail and Thameslink - both of which have been plagued by years of delays and cancellations.

A picture of Mr Boon with his bag on the seat next to him as passengers stand in the background sparked outrage from long-suffering Southern Rail commuters on social media.

Hair-stylist Emma Fitzpatrick, 33, from Croydon - who posted the snap - said Mr Boon had a "really awful manner" as he "dismissively" turned passengers away from about ten empty first-class seats on the train.

And he was even handing his business card out to passengers as he forced them out, she said.

9 Southern Rail passengers have suffered years of delays Credit: AFP - Getty

Emma said: "I got on the train at East Croydon at around 11.30am. It was a few minutes late and very busy, as always. People were squeezing just to get on.

"I had to run down the platform as the train pulled in before I found a space in the front carriage to get on and stand.

"I saw first class had just two men sat in there, so lots of spare seats - around eight or ten available. So I started squeezing past those stood up to go and sit in there.

"But then a lady told me the man there - pointing at Mark Boon - had told her not to sit in there as she had gone to sit down.

9 People questioned Mr boon's authority to stop passengers sitting

9 Twitter users claim first class should have been cancelled due to overcrowding

9 Another social media user predicted a 'commuter revolt'

"I couldn't believe it. Then she showed me the business card he had given her. I said, 'You must be joking', but another female passenger nodded and said he had said the same to her."

Emma said she made her way to the first class compartment - where Mr Boon glanced at her and immediately told her the same thing.

"He didn't even ask if I had a first class ticket - he just looked at me and assumed I didn't," she said.

"He told me the carriage was for first class passengers only. I was so shocked.

Rush-hour chaos in Brighton as Southern Rail passengers told not to travel into London due to signal failure

9 A Southern Rail passenger expresses their frustration as another service is cancelled Credit: Twitter

9 Southern Rail customers are often seen tweeting about the poor service Credit: Twitter

9 Every day there seem to be more problems Credit: Twitter

"I told him I was feeling a little unwell so I needed a seat, but he dismissively said to go and get some water or something, and looked back down at his phone.

"I told him I would sit down on the arm of a chair, so as to keep the first class seats free.

"I was just blown away looking back at the men and women packed in down the train."

Unapologetic, Govia Thameslink insisted the train was just six minutes late and standard class seats were available in other parts of the train.

9 Passengers wait in vain for trains after Govia Thameslink suffered delays last month Credit: PA:Press Association

Emma added that she did not want to cause an argument and make things uncomfortable for fellow passengers - but could not keep herself from addressing Mr Boon as the train arrived at its final stop.

"I said to him: 'Mr Boon, I can't believe what you've done today, telling people they can't sit down.

"'As someone who is Operations Manager of a company that clearly isn't operating very well, shouldn't you be focused on other, more important things?'

"'You shouldn't be telling us where to sit or to stand up, you should be hanging your head in shame. I can't believe you've done this'.

"And he just looked at me and dismissively said, 'Just put it in writing'. He wasn't sorry or embarrassed at all.

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"I just feel, especially after all the cancellations, poor service and cramped conditions, that he should have been more sympathetic and try to repair the damage they have done.

"But instead he sat there brazenly with his name and title on his badge and his bag on a spare chair."

Emma added: "I still can't believe his awful, cocky manner. His non-caring, dismissive reply really shocked me."

Govia Thameslink Railway has confirmed that Mark Boon prevented passengers from using first class seats during the packed service.

A spokesperson said: "Passengers need a first class ticket to travel in first class and there were other people with first class tickets in this compartment.

"This was an 11am off-peak service running just six minutes late and, while the front coaches were busy, there were seats and space in the rear coaches, as Mr Boon explained."

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