PRIVATE rail companies pocketing 15 pence out of every pound passengers pay is a “corporate cash-grab scandal,” the RMT union said today.

The transport union said “shameless profiteering” should be replaced by investment to improve services for passengers and staff working conditions.

The comments came as the government imposed an above-inflation ticket price hike of around 2.6 per cent yesterday in a further “slap in the face” for passengers.