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Bring back British Rail, says MP
Patrick Hall says that a nationalised railway is the solution to commuter woes
Bedford and Kempston MP Patrick Hall this week called for the railways to be re-nationalised in the wake of continuing rail misery for commuters and other passengers using the beleaguered network.
The Labour MP spoke out as the pay dispute between members of trade union Aslef and rail operator First Capital Connect (FCC), which has caused widespread delays and disruption, continued into a third week.
Hundreds of services on the Bedford to Brighton line have been cancelled because drivers have turned down the chance to work voluntary overtime, forcing the company to introduce a reduced timetable because of staff shortages.
Mr Hall said: "I do not wish to pick on First Capital Connect as it is the system that needs radical change.
"But it is bizarre that any train operator can make profits, receive millions in public subsidy, yet deliver a much reduced service.
"I call upon management and unions to conclude the current dispute now – but for the long-term I believe that a nationalised railway is the best way forward."
Mr Hall said his comments followed reports that FCC's parent company First Capital received a reported 50million windfall from the government six months ago after one of its other services saw a fall in profits.
Although FCC drivers are refusing to work overtime there is no formal strike at present.
Mr Hall said: "The structure and funding of the railway network is incredibly complex.
"No effective national system in the world operates without government subsidy, which is why most of them are publicly owned.
"The nationalisation of the London to Edinburgh service earlier this year makes the point that private ownership can mean high risk as well as high cost to the taxpayer and passenger."
When asked for detailed figures, FCC could not provide figures on how many services have been late in the last three weeks.
But the company is now running a reduced timetable, and the number of its services from Bedford to St Pancras departing between 7am and 9am has been cut from 13 to just eight.
Fellow MP Alistair Burt also criticised the company during the dispute, saying the company was 'in the dock'.
The North East Beds MP has asked First Capital bosses to come to Parliament next week to explain the situation to MPs.
He said: "There is a sense that this isn't something that has suddenly blown up. It has been in the making for a long time.
"That raises questions about management at First Capital.
"As far as my colleagues and I are concerned, First Capital are in the dock."
Mr Burt, who regularly uses First Capital Connect services to travel to Westminster, added: "MPs feel they are not being kept informed as regularly as we should be.
"We represent hundreds of thousands of people who use the line, and we need to be able to answer the concerns of commuters and commuter groups."
Would taking the railway system back into public ownership be a step forward, or do you remember the bad old days of British Rail? Let us know what you think of the current dispute, and the service rail users from Bedford enjoy. Email editorial@timesandcitizen.co.uk
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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