4 November 2024
A new RMT survey of over 300 Elizabeth Line and London Overground staff reveals overwhelming support for public ownership.
Key findings show that 86% of staff believe their employers prioritise profit over passenger service, while over 90% agree that a publicly owned model would better serve Londoners.
Workers report that profit-focused management compromises safety, neglects investment, and manipulates service metrics to boost earnings, with funds benefiting foreign shareholders rather than improving services for passengers.
Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said: “These survey results underscore what we’ve long known: the private rail model fails Londoners.
"Elizabeth Line and London Overground workers see first-hand how profit trumps safety, investment, and the quality of the service.
"Public ownership would ensure every penny goes back into improving transport rather than enriching shareholder profits.
"Londoners deserve better, and our members who are the experts on the railway, understand what is needed to make that happen.”
Key Survey Findings
- Profit Over Service: More than 86% of staff feel profit is prioritized over passenger needs, with 68% strongly agreeing.
- Support for Public Ownership: Over 90% of respondents favour a publicly owned model for improved service, with more than 80% expressing strong support.
- Safety and Service Compromises: Employees report unsafe staffing levels, cancelled trains to dodge fines, and neglected infrastructure – all stemming from a profit-driven approach.
- Rigging the System: Staff reveal that operators manipulate service incentives by cancelling trains or skipping stops to avoid penalties, often leaving passengers stranded.
- Dividends Over Reinvestment: Millions in profits go to private shareholders, while fare revenue could otherwise fund service improvements or fare cuts.
END
Notes: More survey details can be found
here.
- Our previous letter to the Mayor can be found
here.
- In 2023, for example, MTR's £7.6 million dividend equated to a possible 2.4% fare reduction, while Arriva’s £9.6 million pay out could have cut Overground fares by 4.4%.
Here are examples of anonymous testimony from staff:
Profit Prioritisation:
“MTR just care about themselves to be honest and how they’re making profits, they don’t care about their customers. They don’t care about their staff.”
Safety Concerns:
“They care more about profit than safety especially staff safety. There is only one person on each gate line on the Elizabeth line on the East.”
Service Manipulation:
“They cancel trains or make them run fast specifically so they don’t have to pay fines and so that they can get their profit!”
Lack of Investment:
“Less investment on staff, operational matters and infrastructures.”
Management Disconnect:
“They don't value their staff and our needs. It's not about us Customer Experience Assistants, it's about the management and their own wellbeing. Our voices are never heard in everything including how to better our stations.”
Critique of Private Ownership:
“Private rail simply wants to maximise profits and are not concerned about public services. Most of these rail companies have no real investments in the rail industry, their profits are guaranteed through contract. No matter how bad the service is they will always turn a profit. Rail is a public service and should be run as one.”
Support for Public Ownership:
“Public transport should be owned by the public not international entities whose allegiances are for their shareholders. Profits ought to be reinvested into national infrastructure, used to reduce fares, provide decent wages for staff and better services for the travelling public. We deserve this as a nation.”
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