December train service cuts have led to fresh calls for public ownership of the railways
Unions representing workers in the rail industry have blasted the government for its response and handling of UK train operators following the announcement that some Christmas rail services are to be slashed.
Avanti West Coast announced it will cut services between London and other major cities in Britain during the busy Christmas period, the latest in a series of ‘disappointments’ experienced by passengers at the hands of the rail provider unions have said.
The December cuts, which will see reduced weekend train services throughout the month, was blamed on staff shortages and annual leave, however the train drivers’ union ASLEF called this reasoning “nonsense” and a distraction from the company’s “irresponsibility”.
Mick Whelan, ASLEF general secretary accused the company of failing to employ enough drivers, which has left the services “understaffed and undervalued”, leaving passengers “once again to pay the price”.
Avanti was granted a new long-term government rail contract last month, despite being blasted as “one of the worst rail companies on the network” by the RMT union’s Mick Lynch and found among the least reliable train operators in Britain.
General secretary of the TSSA union for train workers, Maryam Elsamdoust, blasted it a “national disgrace” that the government was, “wasting taxpayers’ money funding a rail operator that is a specialist in failure”.
“The ink’s barely dry on Avanti’s new contract yet the failed train operator is already cutting services,” said Elsamdoust.
“Passengers are once again being badly let down by a shambolic rail system that is run for profit rather than for people.
“Just weeks after Sunak announced that he was scrapping the Manchester leg of HS2, passengers in the North of England are once again getting a second-class service.”
She called for public ownership of the railways as the “only way” the taxpayer can get value for money.
Whelan said: “The consistent failures by Avanti West Coast mean it should be nowhere near our railway network.
“Instead of handing the company a bumper contract extension a few weeks ago the Tory government should have been getting a grip on the company and getting our railways back on track like the public deserve.
“What is the government’s response to this announcement? Where’s Wally – Transport Secretary Mark Harper – when passengers need him?”
(Image credit: Les Chatfield – Creative Commons)
Hannah Davenport is trade union reporter at Left Foot Forward, focusing on trade unions and environmental issues
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