9 January 2015
Action for Rail is calling for a national, integrated railway under public ownership. Over the last few years there has been increasing support for this campaign, not only from the TUC and rail industry trade unions that are fighting to retain jobs and services but many other organisations and individuals. All these groups recognise the benefits that would come from a rail network that was working for people and not for profit.
This action is being held on the date when the next rail fare increases take effect. The UK already has the most expensive fares in Europe, which have risen 23% in real terms since privatisation. The cumulative cost of privatisation has been estimated at £11 billion of public funds: these could have reduced fares by 18%. Although private companies invested £423m in railways in 2013-14, between 1997 and 2012, Virgin Trains West Coast Mainline paid out £499m in dividends after claiming £2.5 billion in subsidies whilst the £9bn upgrade to this route was paid for by Network Rail and the tax payer, not Virgin.
Action for Rail is part of a wider campaign working for more investment in public transport to reduce the effect of road and airline emissions on climate change. Transport is responsible for almost a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, with 85% of those coming from cars, planes and trucks. Planes produce eight to eleven times the CO2of high speed rail and lorries emit about six times more for every tonne carried.
West and South Dorset Green Party activist Anne Clements said, "We are pleased to support this campaign once again. Those of us living in rural parts of the country are very vulnerable to increased fares and lack of investment in public transport especially railways, and that’s why we are out today in two towns, showing rail travellers things could be better.
"We are lucky to have direct links to London and Bristol from here, but the Bristol line in particular needs upgrading and has regularly been subject to danger of closure. We would like to see more trains and improvements to this line to speed up journey times and provide a more regular service. I cannot see this happening whilst profit drives decision-making. Jobs and social and environmental benefits would result from investment in rail and would make such a difference to communities and individuals all along the corridor served by this line in particular".
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