UK Rail Union Fights for Public Tube Control

The largest rail union in the UK is lobbying the UK Government to return London Underground contracts to public control following the collapse of tube contractor Metronet last week.

The calls come as Transport for London (TFL) holds talks with the government on taking over Metronet - temporarily run by former administrator of rail company Railtrack, Alan Bloom.

In a letter to the new Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Rail Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT) says: "Metronet workers are not only fighting to protect their jobs, pensions and conditions, they are fighting for the future of London Underground. It would be absolute folly to once again break up and demoralise this skilled and highly dedicated workforce."

Metronet is keen to point out that improvement and service works continue to take place on the London Tube network during this period. It says £1m-a-train refurbishments are being completed at the rate of one a fortnight on the Metropolitan and District lines. Metronet has been given £750m in public funding by TFL to ensure the network continues to run.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly backed proposals to overhaul the railway fares system yesterday by scrappying saver fares. The low-cost off-peak ticket will be replaced to create four new ticket categories in the future.

By Ozge Ibrahim