Scotland should be represented on the board of the UK’s new state-run rail service, campaigners have said (May 20th).
The East Coast Main Line service is to be brought back under public control following the failure of the current franchise, and a rail union leader said Holyrood should get a “binding say” on its management.
The line serves routes from the Highlands through to London, including services between the UK and Scottish capitals.
TSSA general secretary Manueal Cortes said: “The Scottish Government must demand that they have at least one director on the board of the new company.
“This company is owned by all taxpayers, whether north or sout hof the border and as such it’s only right the people of Scotland have at least one representative on its board.”
Current operators Stagecoach and Virgin Trains will hand over responsibility from June 24, but UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told MPs that his department will only run the service until a new public-private partnership can be appointed in 2020.
The loss-making East Coast service is to be replaced in the interim by a public sector “operator of last resort” and is being renamed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).
Cortes also made a fresh call for ScotRail to be nationalised.
