PASSENGERS want simpler and cheaper fares and a refund if they are forced to stand during train journeys, according to a survey conducted on behalf of rail firm Grand Central.

The York-based company wants to run daily services from Sunderland and Hartlepool to London, but has yet to learn whether the Office of Rail Regulation will give its plans the go-ahead.

The survey questioned a cross sweep of passengers at Kings Cross Station and found 74 per cent would prefer simpler and easier to understand ticket pricing.

Eighty-three per cent also thought current fares were too expensive.

A further 41 per cent cited overcrowding as a problem and said they had been forced to stand on a rail journey they had recently taken.

Sixty-seven per cent welcomed the prospect of a refund if they were forced to stand.

Last month, Grand Central pledged to cut passengers fares in half if they had to stand as a result of overcrowding on one of its trains.

Ian Yeowart, managing director of Grand Central, said: "The message from rail passengers is clear. They want easily understandable fares, they want cheaper fares and they think it is right to pay less for their journey if they are forced to stand."

Grand Central could learn early next year if its bid to run rail services on the network has been successful.

Rival rail companies have objected to its plans, including East Coast Main Line operator GNER, which claims they would conflict with its own services and hit profits.