London MP and shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers has condemned the decision of the Labour government to nationalise the East Coast rail service by saying to the BBC:
"This Labour government has used the franchising process to push the train operators to make wildly optimistic bids, which has meant squeezing passengers for higher and higher fares. Now the chickens are coming home to roost."
Villiers condemned the statement by Lord Adonis which confirmed National Express was no longer prepared to subsidise the loss making East Coast rail lines leading to a nationalisation of the East coast rail.
Lord Adonis the Transport Minister outlined how "the Government’s first and overriding obligation in this situation is to ensure continuity of service to passengers, with no disruption or diminution of service standards. When the Government has had to step in to protect rail services in the past, there has been no such impact on passengers."
"I have therefore established a publicly owned company, which will take over this franchise from the point at which National Express East Coast ceases to operate. We will agree an orderly handover with National Express. Until that date, National Express will operate services on the current basis; after that date the new public company will do so. There will be no interruption of services. Existing operational staff – who continue to provide a good service – will transfer to the new East Coast Main Line company; so will the assets necessary for the continuation of the service. I can assure the traveling public that services will continue without disruption and all tickets will be honoured."
Israel seals off West BankIsraeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has ordered the army to seal off the West Bank for 48 hours and tightened security around the old city of Jerusalem, Israeli officials said Friday.
