Skip to main content
Northern Rail's chaos proves the privateers ‘are not fit to run a bath let alone a railway’
ommuters at Bolton train station

THE utter chaos that is Northern Rail’s emergency timetable, after the confusion delivered by its totally shambolic new timetable, ought to be the nail in the coffin of its franchise.

It should illuminate the “exit this way” sign for the franchising system introduced by John Major’s Tory government over two decades ago and for Transport Secretary Chris “Failing” Grayling.

He has presided over the timetable fiasco affecting GTR Southern and Northern, approving the privateers’ plans publicised just a fortnight before they went live.

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Keir Starmer
Features / 13 July 2023
13 July 2023
The Morning Star reports on the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom fringe meeting at Unite's policy conference
Jens Stoltenberg
Editorial / 22 June 2018
22 June 2018
Similar stories
A train crosses over the Ribblehead Viaduct with the snow ca
Editorial: / 13 February 2025
13 February 2025
Thameslink train
Features / 13 September 2024
13 September 2024
SOLOMON HUGHES explains how rolling stock companies like Angel Trains will continue milking taxpayers for billions even after renationalisation, as Canadian pension funds and Texan oil billionaires cash in on our daily commutes
Aslef flag
Britain / 16 August 2024
16 August 2024
picket
Features / 2 May 2024
2 May 2024
As train drivers prepare for their next round of strike action, Aslef general secretary MICK WHELAN talks to Morning Star reporter Peter Lazenby about the ever-increasing profits of rail privateers and the Tories’ politically motivated intransigence