Commenting on the Rail 2020 report published today
(Friday) by the Transport Select Committee, TUC General Secretary and Chair of
the Action for Rail campaign Frances O'Grady said: "We agree that more transparency is needed when it
comes to rail industry funding. Our own research shows that the train companies
received over £2.5bn in taxpayer subsidies last year.
"Yet the train travelling public - which has been
hit hard this week with the New Year hike in fares - would understandably like
to know where every penny of taxpayer subsidy is going.
"Regular railway users who find themselves paying
much more for substantially less will wonder how much of taxpayers' money is
going into the profits of the train companies - many of whom would struggle to
run a service without a government subsidy.
"MPs on the Committee also share union concerns that
proposals to find savings through the de-staffing of trains and stations could
make the railways less safe, especially for women and vulnerable passengers.
"Any changes to staffing should improve the
passenger experience, not make it worse. And we know from repeated surveys that
passengers want a visible staff presence on trains and stations."
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