by Keith Richmond
The RMT union has called on the Government to take away all the franchises of the troubled National Express rail operator after it was revealed that the firm has made half a billion pounds in profits from its rail operations in the past 10 years while pocketing £2.5 billion from the public purse.
Earlier this month, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis announced that he was taking the East Coast main line franchise back into public ownership.
But National Express has argued that it wants to retain the rights to run that service and has warned the government not to touch National Express East Anglia and c2c under its cross-default clause.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “It’s now two weeks since the government announced they would be taking decisive action over National Express on the East Coast main line and we are stepping up the pressure for the company to be dumped as a matter of urgency – and for their franchises to be nationalised on a permanent basis, not as a short term, crisis measure.”
He added: “National Express have been taking us all for a ride. Not only have they milked the best part of half a billion pounds out of their rail operations but they have sucked in £2.5 billion in public subsidies in the process.
“Now National Express are leaving a potential rail funding gap of £1 billion behind after their chaotic performance on the East Coast main line and, once again, it’s the travelling public and rail workers who are left to pick up the pieces.
“National Express, along with the rest of the rail privateers, should be kicked off the tracks for good.”
