PASSENGERS are being urged to show train staff the red card - if they want to be left in peace and quiet.

Commuters who travel first class with York-based train company GNER are usually showered with VIP treatment.

But a GNER pilot scheme is now allowing passengers to show red to stop staff offering courtesy tea and coffee.

Last week, customers were able to trial an initiative allowing passengers to take a red card from a crew member and place it in the reservation slot in the top of their seat. Staff will then assume the passenger does not wish to be disturbed. If they change their minds, they can flip the card in the slot to reveal the green section and the free drinks will continue.

During their journey, passengers travelling in first class can expect a free newspaper, courtesy tea, coffee, orange juice, mineral water and biscuits.

Members of the crew will also fetch items from other parts of the train to the passenger's seat, such as a meal from the buffet car.

During the trial, passengers were given notices telling them how to use the service.

David Mallender, GNER spokesman, said most passengers seemed to like the company's pilot scheme.

"We're just trying out some ideas to see how passengers in first class react," he said. "We're trying to get the message across that people can have peace and quiet on their journey.

"It's about trying to get the balance right so that people in first class can enjoy their journey."

Ernie Preston, secretary of the York-based North-East Rail Passenger Committee, praised GNER's attempt to enable passengers to chose their own level of service.

He said: "We've had this for years in hotels where customers have been able to put Do Not Disturb signs on their door knobs.

"This idea seems to be a lot of intelligent, lateral thinking on GNER's part, and it might enhance the journey for those wanting to catch 40 winks. If it makes the journey better for some people then well done GNER."

Updated: 09:11 Tuesday, June 24, 2003