As a condition for the investment, New Labour expects privatisation of the service - the handing over of Metro operations to private firms out to make profit at the expense of travellers and rail workers.

At present the Metro belongs to all of us and is managed on our behalf by the PTA, composed of three councillors from each of the five Tyne and Wear councils, including North Tyneside.

Last year the PTA invited nine companies to submit bids to operate our Metro ie to provide and run the new carriages and ticket machines (where the profits are made) while the bricks and morter, the run down train stations, would remain in public ownership.

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Slogans of 'modernisation' and 'best value' are trumpeted by Labour councillors as smokescreens to conceal what they are really up to- selling off our Metro! After the PTA chooses the 'best value' bidder, the bid will be compared favourably to the rejected in house bid from Nexus and the service handed over to private capital. That is how privatisation works.

Unfortunately Labour councillors, like the Labour government appear to have learned nothing from the disastrous experience of privatising the national rail network.

The only reason why a private firm would want our Metro rail system is to make a profit; to milk it as a cash cow after we have paid for it inevitably leading to higher fares for travellers, including those disabled and less well off, while financial targets would threaten the jobs, wages and pensions of rail workers.

What can we do? The PTA is supposed to be open, democratic and accountable to the people.

An open campaign which unites travellers, disabled, pensioners as well as rail workers and their families has already been launched by the RMT and other rail unions with the Northern Region TUC. To get involved, write to your MP, Mayor John Harrison, the Prime Minister and to Councillor David Woods, Chairman of the PTA, at Newcatle Civic Centre.

For latest information and campaign material email info@rmt.org.uk

PETER BURNETT
Rosebery Avenue,
Preston Village, North Shields.


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