labourpress:

Lilian Greenwood MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to the Northern and TransPennine Express franchise awards, said:

“It’s absurd that taxpayers and commuters in the North will be effectively subsidising rail networks in Germany when those profits could be reinvested in better local services. Once again the Government is happy for any public sector operator to run our railways as long as it isn’t British.

 “It’s welcome that the Government was forced to backtrack on its initial plans for across the board service cuts and commuters will be glad to see the end of the Pacer trains. However, after last year’s stealth fare rises and delays to vital electrification schemes, passengers need to see real improvements and not just more empty rhetoric.”