As Merseyrail’s owner is set for a management buyout, TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has labelled the proposed management buyout of Abellio UK as “yet another missed opportunity” to bring rail services into public ownership.
The rail and transport union leader was speaking after Abellio announced the business is set for a management buyout of Dutch owner Nederlandse Spoorwegen.
The management buyout is led by Managing Director, Dominic Booth, who has decades of experience running public transport services in the UK.
Dominic Booth said, “I’ve been a railwayman all my life. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return key public transport services back into UK ownership at a time when some of our competitors look destined for overseas ownership.
“We expect the business to transfer by the end of the year, following which we will focus all our energies and expertise on continuing to deliver the best possible services for our passengers, investing in our train and bus routes, and helping to develop a future-ready, low emission UK transport network.
“Our wish to buy the company from Nederlandse Spoorwegen demonstrates our confidence in the existing Abellio UK team, both in our Head Office and on the ground. It’s the dedication of our 15,000 employees, together with a continuity of management, that will ensure our new company is a great success.”
The move is subject to approval from partners, including Transport for London the Department for Transport and Merseytravel, and must have consent from the Office for Rail and Road.
Commenting, union leader, Manuel Cortes said, “The management buyout of Abellio is yet another missed opportunity to bring our rail services into public ownership where they belong.
“Whether British or foreign-owned, it’s the private profiteering that’s wrong when it comes to our public transport.
“We need a positive vision and future for rail services – putting passengers and services at the heart of an investment and job security programme which prioritises public transport as part of our response to the climate crisis and economic stimulus.”
Image: www.fotopiaimages.com
Why not follow birkenhead.news on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to news@birkenhead.news
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter