Passengers are being priced off the railways while private operators continue to make huge profits, according to union leaders. Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), and Mick Whelan from Aslef, have called for the renationalisation of train companies as a solution to lower fares. Speaking at a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Mr. Whelan highlighted the issue, stating, “People are being priced off the railway. We don’t have a turn up and go railway. If you haven’t booked a ticket three months ahead you don’t bother going.”
He emphasised the need to stop money being “drained” out of the industry through profits given to shareholders. Mr. Lynch added that privatisation by train companies and previous Conservative governments had led to the exploitation of the public. He mentioned, “Billions of pounds have been leeched out of the industry into dividends or state-owned railways in Europe,” during the meeting. Both union leaders welcomed the Government’s plans to bring rail companies back into public ownership, indicating that it should mark the beginning of establishing an affordable, safe, and integrated railway system.
For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing Wales, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.