The Department for Transport today announced that it is suspending the West Coast main line franchise competition because of 'serious flaws' in the process.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said that the news emphasised the problems in the privatised system - and raised concerns about the impact on the Thameslink franchise.

She said:

“The Government’s disastrous handling of the competition for the West Coast main line franchise is the latest in a long line of Coalition cock-ups.

"The news that the Thameslink competition has also been halted places a big question mark over when passengers can now expect to see positive change on those routes.

“This debacle highlights all that is wrong with rail privatisation, which has seen the cost of train travel in the UK rise by 17% in real terms, compared to a 7% drop in the cost of motoring.

"Fares are now some of the highest in Europe, and the further increase of 6.2% from January 2013 is simply the last straw for many commuters in my constituency.

“The cost to the public purse of running the railways has also risen by 2 to 3 times since privatisation, and now taxpayers are told we must cough up £40million in compensation to the four West Coast bidders."

Caroline concluded:

“So instead of tinkering round the edges of a system that is not fit for purpose, the Greens are calling for the railways to be brought back into public hands.

"This could save over £1 billion a year of taxpayers’ money, some of which the Government could spend on reducing fares.”

ENDS