RMT to “hit the new year running” in fight over Northern and Trans-Pennine franchises

Rail union RMT said that it will be “hitting the new year running” in the continuing fight over the threat to jobs, fares and services from the new franchises on the Northern and Trans-Pennine Express routes.

A new list of campaigning events have been set up for Monday the 5th of January and can be seen on the RMT website

The government has now been forced to confirm in writing that the Invitations to Tender (ITTs) for the new Northern and TransPennine franchises will be delayed into February at the earliest.

There are now growing uncertainties at the DfT about the current TPE franchise extension and problems over the electrification in the Region that look like dragging on well into the new year.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The Government’s whole franchise timetable for the Northern and TPE routes has descended into chaos.

“We now know that the pledges to replace the clapped out Pacer’s has been exposed as nothing but hot air as the Government strategy for rail across the North unravels before their eyes and that they are also being forced to consider replacing one lash up with another by press-ganging 30 year old London Underground stock into service raising serious safety issues.

“While George Osborne has been spouting a stream of rhetoric about a “Northern Powerhouse” the real truth is that the whole region can expect a sub-standard, bodged-up services for many years to come.

“RMT activists and our supporters in the community will continue to be out in force across the region in this New Year with a renewal of our fight against the rail franchise carve up.

“Our message is clear, the fight to stop the outrageous attack on jobs, safety and services under the Northern and TPE franchise plans continues in 2015 and the union is sending out the clearest possible signal to George Osborne, his Government and Rail North that they need to scrap this attack on transport operations and to cut the hot air about improving services when they are actually condemning the North to years of rail misery.

“Let’s not forget that the core of the Government’s future plans for Northern and TPE is to axe jobs, restrict services, throw the guards off the trains and jack up fares while capacity to meet surging rail demand in the area is left to stagnate.

“That attack on the fare-paying public has already begun with the abolition of a wide range of off-peak fares and only an all-out and coordinated fight can stop the savage assault on rail in the North.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →