TSSA blasts ‘missed opportunity’ of Abellio buyout

TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has labelled the proposed management buyout of Abellio UK as ‘yet another missed opportunity’ to bring rail services into public ownership.

The rail and transport union leader was speaking after Abellio announced the business is set for a management buyout of Dutch owner Nederlandse Spoorwegen.

The move is subject to approval from partners, including Transport for London the Department for Transport and Merseytravel, and must have consent from the Office for Rail and Road.

Commenting, Cortes said: “The management buyout of Abellio is yet another missed opportunity to bring our rail services into public ownership where they belong.

“Whether British or foreign-owned, it’s the private profiteering that’s wrong when it comes to our public transport.

“We need a positive vision and future for rail services – putting passengers and services at the heart of an investment and job security programme which prioritises public transport as part of our response to the climate crisis and economic stimulus.”