The Rt Hon Simon Burns MP

Minister of State for Transport

Department for Transport

Great Minister House

76 Marsham Street

London SW1P 4DR

Ref: ML.N0032.CM.10.05.13

Date: 10^th May 2013

Dear Simon,

I am writing to share constituents concerns about planned cuts to vital jobs within the rail industry, which are likely to produce a sub-standard level of service and create a harmful knock on effect with regards passenger safety and value for money.

As you will know, the McNulty report cites the potential for 30% of the £1bn a year overall savings it recommends to be met through more efficient staffing. This will effectively place 20,000 valued and essential jobs in the rail industry at risk. The potential loss of so many frontline workers, such as train guards, station and ticket office staff, as well as critical infrastructure, maintenance and operational safety workers could dramatically reduce the efficiency and competence of our rail services. 

Furthermore, such cuts could prove highly damaging to passenger safety. I am sure you will agree that the safety of passengers should be top priority and I’d welcome your comments on how this can be maintained bearing in mind recent calls for eg an increase in train guards to ensure passengers are not put at unnecessary risk.

Surveys continue to show that passengers want staff on their trains, stations and in ticket offices. They want staff on hand to help with information, with getting best value for their ticket, and with making them feel safe and secure. Plans to close ticket offices, remove staff from trains and stations and slash maintenance, renewal and signalling staff runs contrary to the needs and wishes of passengers, particularly those who may feel particularly vulnerable or may have mobility problems.

As one constituent tells me: “Many of us are already angry at the escalating costs of ticket prices. Now we are faced with getting less service for higher fares.”

The privatisation and fragmentation of our railways has resulted in a massive increase in costs to the tax payer and fare payer. On the other hand, studies have shown that returning the railways into public ownership would save as much as the measures outlined by McNulty. I hope the Government will see sense and start to listen to the public on this important issue and follow the example of our much more competitive European counterparts.

My constituents are also concerned that the Association of Train Operating Companies is calling for the removal of the obligation on train companies to consult with passengers over closures. Please can you assure me the Government will not allow this to happen and will safeguard passengers’ right to be heard.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion

Read the Minister's response here.