Northern TUC comment on West Coast Main Line franchise shambles

date: 3 October 2012

embargo: for immediate release

Northern TUC Regional Secretary, Kevin Rowan said:

'Following the announcement that the shambolic franchise process for the West Coast Main Line is to be re-run, workers, train users and all tax payers will be outraged and deeply frustrated by these botched efforts to sell this critical route the highest bidder. The uncertainty about a key part of Cumbria's transport infrastructure is unhelpful to all who work on the service, residents in the area who are dependent upon a reliable and secure train service and can only harm the planning processes of existing businesses and any prospects for inward investment in the County.

'It's about time the government realised that public transport is a key element in the quality of life, economy and environment in areas like this and it ought not to be subject to the whims and chaos of these deeply flawed market dynamics. The only sustainable way to secure continuity and reliability as well as top performing services is to appreciate the value of maintaining key public services like this in the public sector: a recent study demonstrated that bringing rail into public ownership would actually save taxpaying passengers £1.2 billion a year. The disruption and embarrassment over this failed franchising effort is further clear evidence the case for renationalising rail services.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Kevin Rowan M: 07766250074 E: krowan@tuc.org.uk
Neil Foster T: 0191 227 5554 M: 07717 531150 E: nfoster@tuc.org.uk