04.11.14
RMT to lobby Parliament over Northern and TPE franchises
MPs and the rail union RMT will lobby Parliament later today over proposed changes to the Northern and TransPennine Express (TPE) franchises.
More than 50 MPs have signed Early Day Motion 174, which has raised concerns about the DfT’s consultation on the future for the two franchises.
As part of the proposals for the franchises, ministers want to see the services stop employing guards and moveing to driver only operation. RMT claims this will result in cuts to jobs, services and a rise in fares.
The motion stated that MPs were “dismayed” that the proposals will result in these cuts and the loss of hundreds of “essential” rail jobs.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The fight to stop the outrageous carve up of jobs and services under the Northern and TPE franchise plans is gathering pace by the day and is sending out the clearest possible message to the government and Rail North that they need to scrap this attack on transport services.
“We will be taking that message to Parliament in a major lobby of the politicians who can halt this scandalous assault on the north in its tracks.
“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.”
Last month RMT launched a new postcard campaign pointing out to passengers that the abolition of a wide range of off-peak fares is a taste of what’s to come under the new Northern and TPE franchises.
Schedule for Northern and TPE Lobby of Parliament:
- 30 – 13.15 – Old Palace Yard
- 00 – 15.30 – Rally in the Abbey Centre, 34 Smith Street
- 30 – onwards – Lobby of MPs
(Image: c. Alvey & Towers)
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