DEFEND NORTHERN RAIL SERVICES

RMTnews :: january 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 8 R ail workers and passengers joined forces at Newcastle Central Station last month in a highly successful protest against cuts to Northern Rail services. The protest came days before the axing of Northern Rail’s Sunderland-Newcastle shuttle service. A review of Northern Rail services currently under way is feared to presage massive fares hikes, more rail service cuts, replacement of trains with buses, line closures and job losses. The government has revealed that it will pay private consultants at least £500,000 for the review. RMT members were joined by members of passenger groups and the Northern TUC on the concourse of Newcastle Central Station during the evening rush hour. They called on commuters to protest to the Transport Secretary and urge their own MPs to sign parliamentary early day motion 351 opposing cuts to the region’s railway services. More than 50 MPs have already signed the EDM, which expresses concern that the review could lead to massive damage to rail services and jobs, and calls on the government to act to protect Northern Rail Services. “The cuts in the Newcastle to Sunderland service are the thin end of a very large wedge that could lead to ‘bustitution’ of off-peak services, fare increases and cuts that no-one wants,” said RMT regional organiser Stan Herschel. He insisted that buses and trams should complement rail services, not replace them. “Cuts in Northern Rail services will have a devastating affect on local jobs, local communities and the economy and environment of the North of England. “We need to make it clear to the government that our regional rail services need protecting and expanding,” Stan said. RAIL WORKERS AND PASSENGERS UNITE TO DEFEND NORTHERN RAIL SERVICES PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION 351 SIGNED BY GRAHAM STRINGER AND 52 OTHER MPS That this House notes that under the terms of the Railways Act 2005 the Government will assume responsibility for the Strategic Rail Authority's review of service and fare levels on the Northern Rail franchise; is concerned at previous press reports that the review could lead to higher fares, replacing off-peak rail services with buses, line closures and job losses; and therefore urges the Government to use its powers under the Railways Bill to oppose any line or station closures, job cuts and substitution of rail services with buses on Northern Rail services.