13.04.15
Labour pledges franchising review in manifesto
Ed Miliband has pledged to review the rail franchising process “as a priority” to put in place a new system and “avoid a repeat of the Conservatives’ franchising fiasco”, as part of his party’s manifesto for the 2015 General Election.
Within the document, the party re-affirms a lot of what was already speculated. For instance, Miliband confirmed that a new national rail body will oversee and plan for the railways and will give rail users a greater say in how trains operate.
“We will legislate so that a public sector operator is allowed to take on lines and challenge the private train operating companies on a level playing field,” said Labour.
On top of this, rail fares would be frozen next year to” help commuters” while Labour implements its reforms.
The manifesto noted: “A strict fare rise cap will be introduced on every route for any future fare rises, and a new legal right for passengers will be created to access the cheapest ticket for their journey.”
The party added that it will continue to support the construction of High Speed 2, but keep costs down, and take action to improve and expand rail links across the north to boost its regional economies.
Launching the manifesto in Manchester, Ed Miliband said: “We will seek to bear down on all the costs working people face.
“Showing how we can freeze rail fares in the first year of a Labour government and do it in a properly funded way.”
Responding to the manifesto pledge, Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, welcomed the proposals for reform.
He said: “On rail, the manifesto provides for a public sector operator to be able to run train services in Britain – just as the East Coast did successfully for five years, returning £1bn to the Treasury – and for a costed one-year freeze on fares, in contrast to the Tories’ uncosted five-year ‘freeze’ announced which is, in real terms, a guaranteed increase (fares will rise with the RPI).”
(Image: c. Jon Super)
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]