Unions slam rail fiasco as MPs release new report
Thursday 31 January 2013
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EmailUnions are ready to lash the government over the West Coast Main Line fiasco which comes under the spotlight in a report by the transport select committee today.
The government faced calls to renationalise Britain's railways after it was forced to scrap awarding the country's busiest and most lucrative rail franchise to First Group last autumn.
Three government officials were suspended for the U-turn, two inquiries were launched and taxpayers faced up to £40 million in compensation to bidders as the whole franchising process was halted.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the report lifts the lid on the fiasco but fails to nail the point that "privatisation has turned our tracks into a money-making racket beyond reform."
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said the whole process was a "disgrace."
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