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July 1, 2012

Labour backs plans to return railway network to public control

The Guardian: By Toby Helm, 30 June 2012
Sweeping reform would begin with renationalisation of key routes and end franchising of services

The Labour party's transport spokeswoman, Maria Eagle said: "Under the current system we have unaccountable train companies given a licence to print money to operate a monopoly service at high cost to passengers in an industry that still relies on £4bn from taxpayers every year.

"Increasingly franchises are run by subsidiaries of the German, French and Dutch state railways with profits helping deliver ticket prices in those countries that are a third of ours. Labour's policy review is therefore looking at all options to make our railways work better for passengers with nothing ruled out, including whether the not-for-dividend model that works for rail infrastructure should be extended to rail services."

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