Jo Bird: Last year, Merseyrail recorded 28.3 million passenger journeys. In the same year, it paid out £44 million in shareholder profits.
Jo Bird: ”Last year, Merseyrail recorded 28.3 million passenger journeys. In the same year, it paid out £44 million in shareholder profits.
That’s money that could and should have been used to improve train services, accessibility and reduce fares. Instead, we paid out £1.50 for every passenger journey from people like you and me straight into shareholder profits.
So the Greens, the RMT, ASLEF and TSSA, the trade unions for transport, we are all calling for Merseyrail to return. To be brought back into public hands.”
Kimberley (rail user): ”Privatisation has failed. The RMT note that Merseyrail has spent over £211 million in dividends. This is £10 million per year on average.
This money could have been spent helping people with disabilities and making fares fairer.”
Cllr Jo Bird (in committee): “I’d like to ask the chair of the Transport Committee for his response to the call from three rail trade unions. Greens support their call for Merseyrail to be brought back into public hands when the contract expires in 2028.”
Cllr Foulkes: “All potential models from re-tendering to full public ownership [will be considered]. No decisions have been made and All options will remain firmly on the table.”
Jo: “It used to be our Merseyrail and it should be our Merseyrail again.”