A MOTHER has hit out at rail provider Northern after her teenage daughter and a friend were forced off a train by a conductor despite having valid tickets.

Deborah Clarke’s 13-year-old daughter Rosa was travelling home to Bingley from Bradford Forster Square in March with her friend, aged 14.

When attempting to get onto the platform, the pair were told their off-peak tickets were not valid for the 6.16pm train, which was classed as peak.

After scrambling in her bag for change, Rosa and her friend went to the ticket office, where they had to pay the 30p difference on each ticket to change them to peak tickets.

They then boarded the train, and while on board, when presenting their tickets to the conductor, were told to get off the train.

Ms Clarke said: “The girls continued to explain their case, when the conductor got very aggressive and decided that they couldn’t travel on his train.

“I really cannot understand what was going through this man’s mind.

“He firmly made the girls get off the train and closed the door on their faces, before threatening to call the police to get them off the train.

“The girls were very upset and now had to wait a further half hour or so for the next train. Ironically, this train was now an off-peak train, which is very annoying.

“I think this was totally outrageous behaviour to two young girls in school uniform.

“My daughter is extremely polite and has an excellent school record. However, due to the unfairness of the situation, she would try to put forward her defence.

“My daughter was very upset and angry during the whole of the evening.

“She also was unable to make her dance class, which was prepaid, due to the lateness home and also she was too upset anyway.

“I think it was utterly shameful how this guard has behaved. He humiliated them in front of other passengers.

“It was totally irresponsible removing them from a safe environment, back out onto a platform.

“I must admit at the time I was absolutely furious, and I felt so angry I couldn’t speak to anyone.”

After seven weeks of chasing up her initial complaint, Ms Clarke finally got a response from Northern to say it was investigating the complaint, but the outcome would remain confidential.

Northern has given each girl a family day pass as a gesture of goodwill over the incident.