Greens make case for public sector rail bid to minister
The Scottish Green Party has met with the transport minister to make the case for a public sector bidder for future rail franchises.
Green transport spokesperson, John Finnie MSP met with Humza Yousaf, along with other political parties, in a bid to find solutions to improve the performance of Scotland’s rail network.
Finnie outlined how he looked forward to his party’s input being reflected in the government’s “options paper” due before the next meeting in January.
Highlands and Islands MSP, John Finnie said:
“I was delighted to have attended what was a very positive meeting with other rail stakeholders. The Minister has made it clear that the Scottish Government has the necessary ‘political will’ to prepare a public sector bid for Scotland’s rail franchise and that this must be ready by 2019.
“The Scottish Green Party is a long-time advocate of Scotland’s rail network being owned by and operated in the exclusive interests of the Scottish public and will continue to engage with the government and any other parties sharing that aim.
“There is a weight of legal and technical issues which will require to be put in place and I look forward to considering an initial options paper that the government will prepare in advance of our next meeting in January.”