Fourth Railway Package – Take action now

Head Office Circular No. NP/275/16/MC

To all Branches and Regional Councils


Monday 21 November 2016

Dear Colleagues,

Fourth Railway Package – Take action now

MEPs have a critical vote on the future of our railways taking place on 12-15 December 2016. Privatisation of rail passenger services could be imposed on all member states if new EU regulations are passed into legislation. Even though the UK is leaving the EU, regulations in the Fourth Railway Package could still apply to the UK for years to come. The Fourth Railway Package would make the competitive tendering of rail passenger services mandatory, and enforce the separation of train operations from infrastructure management – which has led to increased fragmentation, inefficiency and extra costs in the UK.

The Fourth Railway Package could stop a future UK government from establishing alternative ways of delivering our railways that are in the best interests of passengers, taxpayers and citizens. We know from bitter experience that rail privatisation has failed to deliver on its promises of cheaper fares, better services and a better deal for taxpayers.

The Fourth Railway Package must be stopped. Please email your MEP before 12 December to let them know that you want them to vote against the Fourth Railway Package – you can use this online tool to email your MEP: http://campaign.actionforrail.org/page/speakout/fourth-rail-package-mp-action-17-11-16

Yours sincerely

 

Mick Cash
General Secretary