20 March 2023
RMT Press Office:
Britain's largest rail union RMT today condemned the decision to extend the Avanti West Coast contract by another six months.
RMT has already revealed that the vast majority of Avanti West Coast cancellations are down to staff shortages and called for the company to be stripped of its franchise.
The disgraced train operator Avanti also plans to scrap at seat service catering from May which will mean standard class passengers will not have the option of an at seat service, serving sandwiches, snacks and drinks.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that this was a case of reward for failure which will mean that Avanti owners First Group can continue to make profits on what even Ministers have today admitted is still a substandard service.
“The government is keeping privatisation afloat regardless of the cost to the rail passengers, rail workers and the taxpayer and the service itself.
“It is quite clear that the West Coast contract should be bought back into public ownership along with the rest of the railway,” he said.
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