Rail Minister Huw Merriman told the Transport Committee on 18 January that rail strikes have had an impact on the UK economy calculated at around £700 million. He added that the strikes have cost the railway a claimed £25 million on weekdays and £15 million on weekends.
Mr Merriman also agreed with Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw, who pointed out that with estimated costs of the strikes to Government of up to £500 million, the industrial action has cost more than settling would have.
When asked what the cost savings would be of closing ticket offices – as per the Rail Delivery Group’s proposals to the RMT Union – Mr Merriman said: ‘Of course, we cannot model the exact financial efficiencies. To do that, one would end up predetermining the ticket office consultation process, which, of course, we cannot and will not do because we need to look at each office and what the impacts are.’ He added that RDG Chair Steve Montgomery couldn’t give an accurate figure because in doing so ‘he would be predetermining the consultation’.
In terms of industrial action, ASLEF drivers on 13 train operators struck on 1/3 February in the ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.
Members at Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Gre…
