11 May 2023
RMT Press Office:
RAIL union RMT has welcomed the move today to strip the Transpennine Express franchise from rail privateer First Group and bringing it into the government’s operator of last resort which is already running three other rail contracts.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that it was absolutely right not to renew or extend Transpennine Express's contract which was something the union has long campaigned for.
“First should now also lose its failed Avanti West Coast contract as part a return of all our railways to public ownership.
“With other parts of our railway already nationalised this decision should now mark the beginning of end for rail privatisation which has brought nothing but chaos for passengers.
“However, it is disappointing to hear Transport Secretary Mark Harper saying that he intends to return TPE to the private sector despite the shambles the service has become,” he said.
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