TSSA welcomes Labour’s support for ticket offices and HS2

TSSA today welcomed support from the Labour Party for a motion which committed the party to building HS2 and saving ticket offices.

TSSA had submitted a composite motion with sister union’s ASLEF and Unite calling on Labour to reaffirm the pledge that HS2 must be built in full, not only to Manchester but also the Eastern leg to Leeds, as part of a publicly run rail network.

The motion also committed the party to retain or reopen fully staffed rail ticket offices and bring UK energy back into public ownership, starting with the National Grid’s electricity and gas networks.

The motion recognised that ticket office staff ensure that millions of people from all walks of life can travel safely, with confidence, and knowing that they have paid the best value fare.

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves also promised to launch an inquiry into HS2 and attacked the project’s growing costs.

Commenting, TSSA Interim General Secretary Peter Pendle said: “I’m delighted by the Labour party’s support for our composite motion.

“Today, Labour have shown clearly that they are on the side of millions of working people who demand clean, green, and efficient public transport.

“The message to the Tory party today is clear. You don’t know how to run a railway. You don’t know how to build a railway. Labour are ready, willing and able to do so. Do the decent thing and call a General Election now.”