18 February 2019
RMT Press Office:
RMT warns that any plans to streamline rail fares will be undermined by the fragmentation of privatisation
Rail union RMT has warned today that any plans to streamline and simplify Britain's rail fare structure will be undermined by the fragmentation of over two decades of privatisation. The warning comes as the Rail Delivery Group releases a report this morning that even they admit would take up to five years to implement.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“RMT believes that rail passengers and the taxpayer have been ripped off for far too long and the proposals outlined today will do nothing to address that harsh reality.
“Whichever way the industry dresses this up the fragmentation of privatisation will always lead to a complex mix of various fares across the network with passengers caught in the crossfire.
"RMT is also deeply concerned that these proposals, which the industry admits would take up to five years to implement, may be used as just a cover to close ticket offices and remove station staff under the guise of automation with dire consequences.
“The only way a genuinely integrated ticketing system could be introduced is as part of a publicly owned and operated railway free from the short term greed and exploitation of the private sector.”
ends
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