Union calls for halt on East Midlands Trains takeover

A rail union is calling on Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to call a halt to Abellio’s takeover of East Midlands Trains until the Williams Review publishes its report.

The call from TSSA comes as Abellio prepares to start running the rail company in less than a week.

TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Keith Williams promised us a ‘root and branch’ review of Britain’s railways, yet for the Conservatives as far as East Midlands Trains is concerned it’s ‘business as usual’. They’re handing over the keys to a multi-milion pound franchise just a few months before the Williams review is due to report.

“Abellio have a track record of doing well out of UK rail contracts – their own reports boasted that they made £1 billion from UK contracts last year. But with Williams himself admitting that the franchise system isn’t working, now’s the time for us to start taking our railways back in-house and reinvesting the profits in our own railways.

“Transport Secretary Shapp showed his mettle when he cancelled the Southeastern franchise process last week. Now’s the time for him to go one step further and call a halt on Abellio taking over East Midlands Trains until we know what recommendations Williams is making.”

Abellio told TheBusinessDesk.com that it disputes the £1bn figure quoted by TSSA.

A spokesperson for the firm, said: “We look forward to this franchise driving economic growth and delivering significant benefits for passengers. Abellio will invest £600m in improvements to trains and stations, maximising the effect of the Government’s £1.5bn upgrade of the Midland Main Line, to make journeys easier, more reliable and comfortable for our passengers.”

 

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