Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to the announcement of a new direct award the Department for Transport has agreed with FirstTransPennine Express, said:

“Ministers have once again signed up to another direct contract award to a private sector rail company, desperate to get these contracts out of the door before the General Election. At the same time, they won’t even let the public sector bid in competitions to run our railways. 

“This announcement is a textbook example of everything that is wrong with the current system. It’s why we need Labour’s proposed changes that will put the current franchise system in the bin, create a public sector operator and ensure a strong passenger voice within a more publicly-controlled railways. 

“Hard-pressed passengers have had enough of the rip-off fares and the worsening services that define the status quo on our railways, thanks to out-of-touch ministers.”