While welcoming the news that up to 1,000 new train carriages will be introduced on busy commuter lines, RMT warned that the government should keep them out of the hands of the rolling-stock companies.
 
"This is a positive first step, especially as a massive increase in rail capacity is urgently needed to help Britain meet its climate challenge," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.
 
"It would be even better news if the government were to signal that it will move away from the wholly unnecessary reliance on the Roscos that have robbed our railways blind and raked in profits at obscene rates of 30 per cent and more.
 
"That means keeping new stock out of their hands and, better still, starting the process to bring all Britain's rail rolling stock back into public ownership, where it belongs.
 
"However, as none of these new carriages will be available until 2009 at the earliest, it is imperative to ensure that no existing rolling stock remains mothballed."
 
"It is scandalous that rolling stock is still being kept in sidings for no good reason, and the government must take the necessary steps to bring those units back into operation.
 
"It would be good news too for British manufacturing if the government also took the positive decision to build these carriages in Britain, using the wealth of engineering skill that still exists, despite the recent spate of works closures," Bob Crow said.