NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release 16 June 2003

Time running out for rail

RAIL union TSSA believes that a sorry lack of integration in the railindustry is to blame for the disappointing performance figures announced bythe Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) today.

The union is also concerned that rail staff will bear the brunt of customeranger and frustration over the late arrival of 20 per cent of trains andfuture fare increases.

A TSSA survey has shown that this is already the case, with 42 per cent ofrailway health and safety reps naming violence and threats as their numberone workplace hazard.

Although the union welcomes the publication of the Network UtilisationStrategy to improve long-term performance, it believes that more needs to bedone if the SRA is to win in next years' comprehensive spending review.

General Secretary Richard Rosser said: "It is little wonder that passengersare becoming increasingly disillusioned with costs soaring, performanceplummeting and above-average fare increases to follow.

"And the fact that so many of our members are reporting record levels ofstress is unsurprising given the fact that such a large part of their job isdealing with unhappy customers.

Mr Rosser continued: "When Alistair Darling says that the Government has gotto get the balance right between what the passenger pays and the taxpayerpays, he fails to address what the extra money already ploughed into theindustry is now paying for and whether the present structure is capable ofdelivering real improvements."

"The rail industry must start to make the case for rail if it to avoidlosing out in next years' comprehensive spending review. If that does notdeliver a healthy injection of cash into the railway, passengers will end uppaying for it through fare increases."

ends

For further information, please contact:Press Officer Hannah Leggett (020) 7529 8059 or 07769 682806(mobile)

Notes to Editors
1. TSSA represents 32,000 members in administrative, clerical,managerial, professional and technical jobs in the railways, buses, theLondon Underground, the travel trade, canals, ports and ferries, and roadhaulage.