Unions demand East Coast rail franchise remain in public hands

Oct 2 2009 by William Green, The Journal

UNIONS yesterday demanded that the controversial East Coast rail franchise be kept in public ownership.

The Aslef and TSSA rail unions spoke out at the Labour conference after The Journal revealed Transport Secretary Lord Adonis plans within weeks to take the franchise into public ownership after operator National Express hit financial difficulties.

Lord Adonis has insisted the franchise, which links the region with London and Scotland, will only be kept in public hands for around two years – although Junior Transport Minister Chris Mole yesterday signalled that period could be longer to give a “breathing space” to consider its future.

It also emerged that the boss of the state-owned company set to run East Coast rail services will earn up to £180,000 a year, almost as much as the Prime Minister.

Aslef official Simon Weller attacked Lord Adonis for wanting to relet the East Coast franchise despite it being the second time in three years that the private sector had “failed” with previous operator GNER hitting trouble.

“So if it is relet what will see? Well, we will get new uniforms, the trains will get a new coat of paint. There will be no real positive change. And the paint’s not dry on the last lot,” said Mr Weller, speaking at an emergency conference debate about the franchise.

To cheers from conference delegates, he said: “We are not providing a service. We are not getting value for money. This is Alice in Wonderland. And what we want to see our Labour party do is off with their heads.”