TSSA welcomes Welsh rail public ownership

Transport union TSSA today welcomes Welsh passenger rail services operating under public ownership and congratulates the Welsh Labour government for the move.

The decision was taken last October and came into force on 7 February, with Transport for Wales now running the services through its subsidiary Transport for Wales Rail Ltd. Passenger trains in Wales were previously run by a joint venture between Keolis, a subsidiary of France’s SNCF, and engineering contractor Amey. The two companies will continue to be responsible for tracks and other rail infrastructure.

TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes said: “We commend the Welsh Labour government for brining these important passenger rail services into public ownership where they rightly belong. This is a clear demonstration of how Labour in government can make a positive difference and shows what can be done with devolved powers – Scotland should do the same.

“Privatisation of rail has been an abject failure, putting profits into private hands while failing on investment and services.

“Rail services are clearly strategically important and the decisive action taken in Wales to protect passenger services is welcome. We now expect England and Scotland to take note and follow Wales’ lead by ending privatisation of our railways once and for all.”