Caroline Lucas

Caroline Lucas, Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion constituency, has written to Lord Adonis, the Secretary of State for Transport, asking that rail operator FCC (First Capital Connect) have their franchise removed, and that the service be placed under public ownership.

Caroline, who is Euro-MP for the South East including Brighton, said:
"The disruption First Capital Connect has caused to commuters has been immense. Over the cold snap, a third of FCC trains were cancelled, causing real inconvenience to people's work and personal lives. I use the Brighton to London service regularly, and have seen first hand the extent of the havoc. This incompetence, caused by poor management, is a breach of their franchise agreement. I have written to Lord Adonis asking him to revoke FCC's franchise.

"Train fares in England are some of the highest in Europe. Greens would bring trains under public ownership, ensuring better service and subsidised fares. This would provide a real alternative to those wanting to leave their car at home."

Ian Davey, Green parliamentary candidate for Hove constituency and Transport spokesperson for the Green group of Councillors, said:
"First Capital Connect seem to have lost control. First there was the furore over staff being expected to work overtime and rest days, and then the total lack of control over train service with the arrival of snow. This cannot continue.

"I wholeheartedly support Caroline in calling for an end to the FCC franchise. The Green Party believes that the rail system, including track and operators, needs to be publicly owned to stop the kinds of problems we have seen with FCC."

For more information about the Greens view:
www.brightonhovegreens.org