Following the BBC Breakfast interview with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP on Wednesday 4th December, she acknowledged the increase in leisure rail travel and that recent labour issues facing the industry were replaced by a better cooperation between TOCs and unions. However, following this, it was reported from Northern Rail that the opposite is an actuality.
The news is a kick in the teeth for long suffering rail users across the whole of the North of England, within both major cities and rural areas, where services just cannot be trusted to run.
This impasse has been a long term excuse for years now and does impact most heavily on Disabled people who try to plan rail journey through Passenger Assistance only to find that the service is not available.We request that the Secretary of State and Rail Minister now concentrate on obtaining a resolution to the overlong disruption which has impacted railway workers forced to take industrial action, and reduced confidence in rail use by older and Disabled people.