RMT calls for Abellio to be stripped of Scotrail franchise

Rail union RMT today called on the Scottish Government to set out an immediate timetable for the stripping of Abellio of its Scotrail franchise as it emerged that performance has slumped while profiteering has risen – draining away key funds that could be invested in staffing, services and safety. The demand comes on the eve of protests across Scotland organised by the union in support of the campaign for “Safer Scottish Railways.”

It has been reported that the Scottish Government is examining options for returning Scotland’s railways to public ownership after more than 19,000 people have signed a petition calling on Transport Minister Humza Yousaf to “make ScotRail bosses improve Scotland’s trains or strip them of their contract”. It is now reported that, far from investing in improved services, the Dutch-state owned outfit is plundering £1 million a month in profits that railways across Scotland desperately need.

Dutch firm Abellio was awarded the franchise in 2015 for 10 years – a move that RMT warned at the time was a massive betrayal of the Scottish people that would have severe and damaging consequences. The unions warning has now come home to roost with a vengeance.

Tomorrow, RMT campaigners, will be out a key location across Scotland, signing up supporters to the union’s campaign through postcards to politicians, and taking the message that public ownership and control is the only way forward. A full list of events is set out below.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said:

“RMT is campaigning to make Scotland’s trains safer, more secure and accessible. This can only be done with a publicly owned service where profit isn’t the main motive of the operator. The million pounds a month that is being stripped out by Abellio, and shipped across the North Sea to Holland, would go a long way to addressing the staffing, safety and performance issues that are dragging Scotrail down.

“RMT calls on the Scottish Government to set out a timetable for bringing Scotrail under public ownership and with the current level of anger that’s reinforced in the petition there can be no excuse for the dragging of heels. The union is available for talks with Ministers to take the issues of safe staffing, investment and public ownership forwards.”

 

Wednesday 9th November campaign events:

DUMFRIES between 7am and 9am

DUNDEE between 7am and 9am

DUNFERMLINE between 6am and 8am

EASTERHOUSE between 7am and 9am

EDINBURGH HAYMARKET between 8am and 9am

EDINBURGH WAVERLEY between 8am and 9am

GLASGOW CENTRAL between 8am and 9am

GLASGOW QUEEN STREET between 4.30pm and 6pm

INVERKEITHING between 6am and 8am

KIRKCALDY between 6am and 8am

MOTHERWELL between 8am and 9am

STIRLING between 7am and 9am

TWEEDBANK between 8am and 9am

 

 

Wednesday 9^th November campaign events:

DUMFRIES between 7am and 9am
DUNDEE between 7am and 9am

DUNFERMLINE between 6am and 8am

EASTERHOUSE between 7am and 9am

EDINBURGH HAYMARKET between 8am and 9am

EDINBURGH WAVERLEY between 8am and 9am

GLASGOW CENTRAL between 8am and 9am

GLASGOW QUEEN STREET between 4.30pm and 6pm

INVERKEITHING between 6am and 8am
KIRKCALDY between 6am and 8am
MOTHERWELL between 8am and 9am

STIRLING between 7am and 9am

TWEEDBANK between 8am and 9am