Government must learn lessons of West Coast debacle says TUC

date: 3 October 2012

embargo: For immediate release

The TUC said today's (Wednesday) decision by the government to re-tender the contract for the West Coast mainline exposed the 'inherent flaws' of the current rail franchising system.

The TUC said that instead of encouraging private operators to submit 'unsustainable bids' the government should learn the lessons from the state owned East Coast mainline which last week posted a £20m increase in profits that will be reinvested back into the service.

TUC General Secretary Designate, and chair of Action for Rail, Frances O'Grady said: 'This embarrassing episode has exposed once again the inherent flaws of the current franchising system which has resulted in expensive legal challenges and a PR disaster for the government.

'It is essential that ministers learn the lessons from this debacle and look at the successful blueprint provided by the East Coast mainline which is making profits that are being reinvested back into services for passengers. It is essential that any plans to re-privatise this route are now abandoned and the West Coast mainline is also taken back into public ownership.

'Instead of encouraging unsustainable bids that are not in the interests of passengers and taxpayers the government needs to realise the value of state-run services.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Action for Rail is a campaign run by the TUC in partnership with ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and Unite.

- On Saturday 20 October thousands of people from across the UK will be heading to London for A Future That Works - a march which starts on the Embankment and ends with a rally in Hyde Park. The day is being organised by the TUC in protest against the government's austerity measures and calls for a new approach which puts growth and an economy that works for ordinary families at the heart of government policy www.afuturethatworks.org

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk