TSSA hails return of Chiltern Railways to public ownership

TSSA has welcomed the return of Chiltern Railways to public ownership as of Sunday, with the union describing it as 'another important and welcome step towards a unified, publicly run railway'. 

Chiltern, connecting London Marylebone with communities in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and as far as the West Midlands, becomes the sixth train operator to transfer into public ownership under a rolling government programme. 

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “Chiltern Railways coming into public ownership is another important and welcome step towards a unified, publicly run railway. TSSA proudly champions true public ownership, but this has to deliver real benefits for passengers and workers alike. 

“This is not simply about change of ownership or branding, but better and more reliable services, proper investment, improved safety and decent, secure jobs across the network. The workers who keep Chiltern’s services running must have their pay, pensions, travel facilities and terms and conditions protected. 

“Our union has long been clear – the move to Great British Railways offers the opportunity to end the fragmentation of our railway by bringing track and train together under one accountable public body. It should enable better long-term planning, faster problem-solving and decisions made in the interests of passengers, rail workers and taxpayers, not private shareholders. 

“To realise that promise, Ministers must properly fund our railway and work closely with trade unions and the workforce. Cuts, understaffing and outsourcing would undermine the very benefits public ownership is meant to achieve."  

TSSA represents all salaried staff in Chiltern Railways, on an individual and/or collective basis depending on their grade.