Re-nationalise Britain’s failing railways

Jeremy Corbyn: We need to rebuild an integrated publicly owned railway network that is run by the people for the people

Privatisation of the railways was a big mistake. A fragmented network, perverse and complicated ticketing system, a nightmare to travel at weekends during  rail works, expensive fares.

We need to invest in our railways, but that should be in publicly owned railways, not an investment for private profiteers. HS2 gravy train should be scrapped, and that money invested in a publicly owned rail network.

To bring back into public ownership is simple, let each franchise expire.

The form of public ownership yet to be decided.

Jeremy Corbyn:

The privatisation of the railways fragmented our rail network meaning the most expensive and confusing ticketing structures in Europe. Our rail network suffers from massive underinvestment, recently cut again by this government, while larcenous levels of profiteering continue.

We need to rebuild an integrated publicly owned railway network that is run by the people for the people.It is important for our economy, society and the environment that our railways are run in the public interest not for private profit.

If we are to invest in the rail network, it must be in public ownership.

East Coast train at Kings Cross

The East Coast Mainline was in public ownership. Last year it was handed to Richard Branson and Stagecoach.

Much of the network is owned by foreign railways. The irony is, that many are state owned, profiting from the subsides given to privatised rail networks.

• Britain’s Privatised Rail Network Makes Millions For Foreign State-Owned Train Companies
• Rail Fares Have Risen By A Third More Than Wages
• Britain’s Railways Two Thirds Owned By Foreign Companies
• Jeremy Corbyn is right, we need a People’s Railway

Abellio Greater Anglia – £3.64m profit

Abellio Greater Anglia

In 2012, Abellio – the Dutch state rail operator’s international arm – made £3.64 million  on the Greater Anglia line. This flows back to the Netherlands.

London Overground – £7.54m profit

London Overground

London’s Overground network is run as a joint venture between the German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn and private company MTR. In 2012, it made £7.54 million profit, which is shared between the two.

Merseyrail – £10.77m profit

Merseyrail

A joint Serco-Abellio partnership. Serco is a private company, Abellio is the Netherland’s state rail operator’s international arm. The Dutch state takes a share of profits, which was £10.77 million in 2012.

Arriva CrossCountry – £12.9m profit

Arriva CrossCountry

Arriva is the German state rail company’s international subsidiary. It wholly owns the CrossCountry franchise and made £12.9 million profit in 2012.

Southern – £13.4m profit

Southern

Southern rail is a Kelios joint venture. Kelios is the French state’s international rail subsidiary and it owns 35% of the franchise. This is equivalent to a £5.68 million share of the £13.4 million 2012 profit.

Arriva Trains Wales – £13.6m profit

Arriva Trains Wales

The line is run by Arriva – the international arm of Deutsche Bahn, the German train operator wholly owned by the German Federal government. Arriva Trains Wales made £13.6 million profit in 2012.

Southeastern – £16m profit

Southern

Southeastern

Southeastern line is 35% owned by Kelios, the French state rail operator’s international subsidiary. In 2012, the line’s £16m profit saw Kelios’ share at £5.6 milion flow to France.

Northern Rail – £33m profit

Northern Rail

Northern is one of several Serco-Abellio joint ventures. While Serco is a private business, Abellio is wholly owned by Nederlandse Spoorwegan – the Dutch state’s railway operator. With a £33 million profit in 2012, money flows from Northern coffers to fund Dutch public transport.

First TransPennine Express – £50m profit

First TransPennine Express

First Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange, its TransPennine partner Kelios is majority owned by the French state railway operator. Kelios takes around 45% of the profits, or £22.55 million in 2012.

 

 

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