As First Group posted a 36.7 per cent rise in operating profits to £108.8 million from its rail division, despite being condemned for massive overcrowding, RMT renewed its call for rail franchises to be returned to the public sector.

The group also increased its bus operating profits from £98 million to £103 million

"First has delivered service cuts, unacceptable overcrowding and inflation-busting fares hikes on the Great Western franchise," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"The group has the gall to tell its shareolders that it has a 'clear strategy delivering results' when it is clear that the only result it cares about delivering is the level of profit it can squeeze out of its passengers and its workforce.

"And the squeeze can only get worse if the privateers are to cough up the huge premiums the treasury expects from them.

"It is hardly surprising that passengers treated worse than cattle are staging fares strikes and calling for First to be sacked.

"Our members are the people who struggle daily to provide a public service in increasingly difficult circumstances and it is they who have to face the anger of short-changed passengers.

"So if First Group can promise to increase dividends to shareholders by ten per cent every year we'll be looking for a similar commitment on our members' pay.

"Rail and bus privatisation have allowed First to skim off more than £200 million in profits in a single year, and it is high time that both industries were run once more for the benefit of us all, not just a handful of shareholders," Bob Crow said.