Labour leadership contender, Jeremy Corbyn MP will outline his plans for an integrated publicly owned railway network.
Under his leadership he pledges a Labour government will introduce a new Railways Act in 2020 to begin the process of bringing our railways into public control, run in the public interest in line with the other social, economic and environmental goals of his overall Vision For Britain 2020
Jeremy plans to replace the rolling stock companies (ROSCOs) with a long-term procurement strategy based on strategic long-term investment in the railways to boost manufacturing, skills and jobs across the UK.
He will oversee a process which will ensure that all parts of the railway networks work together for the common good with strategic management representing the industry, government (local and national), passengers and workers.
Once again Jeremy's Vision of a new National Investment Bank is focussed as a source of public investment which will enable a co-operative model of public ownership and fund long-term infrastructure improvements and increased accessibility for disabled passengers.
By re-integrating the UK railways and running them co-operatively for the public good, we can bring social, economic and environmental gains:
- Provide a more modern and integrated service for all passengers
- More accessible trains and stations for disabled passengers
- Better terms and conditions for rail workers
- Benefit the environment by increasing rail capacity and reducing costs to encourage rail over car and air transport
- Stimulate the economy by increasing investment in new high speed rail, creating jobs and connecting more towns and cities
- Give passengers, rail workers and politicians more democratic say over the strategic development of UK railways.
- Cheaper and more easily understood fare tariffs
"The privatisation of the railways fragmented our rail network meaning the most expensive and confusing ticketing structures in Europe," said Jeremy.
"Our rail network suffers from massive underinvestment, recently cut again by this government, while larcenous levels of profiteering continue.
"We need to rebuild an integrated publicly owned railway network that is run by the people for the people.
"It is important for our economy, society and the environment that our railways are run in the public interest not for private profit.
"Under my leadership Labour will commit to public ownership, run by passengers, workers and government."