Letter to the Herald

THE current ScotRail franchise is due to expire on March 31, 2004, and there are at present three preferred bidders, ScotRail (National Express Group), Arriva, and First Group. It is extremely premature, therefore, to talk (October 11) of an extension to the ScotRail franchise when the bidding for the present franchise has not yet even taken place. But the end of this franchise gives the Scottish Executive the chance to actually take rail services in Scotland in a new and radical direction. The present Scottish rail passenger franchise is kept running through a tranche of public money and, as such, must and should be publicly owned. Environmentally, socially, and economically a publicly owned rail system makes sense and is supported by unions, political parties, and passengers alike. The SSP along with the RMT are more than happy to show the executive how to take our railways back into public ownership.

Mary W Spowart, transport researcher, SSP, 73 Robertson Street, Glasgow.