THE Scottish government is to review its franchise deals with private operators after a coalition united today to demand public ownership of railways north of the border.

Fourteen organisations representing rail workers, passengers, disabled people, pensioners, environmentalists and civil society and 20 cross-party MSPs have written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calling for public ownership from January next year.

The signatories say that the Covid-19 pandemic has created “substantial and unprecedented challenges” for Scotland’s railways.

However, they warn that private operators Abellio Scotrail and Serco Caledonian Sleeper are still pocketing profits thanks to them receiving taxpayers’ money as part of “Covid emergency measures” to help operators through the pandemic.

The letter said: “Appointing a public operator in the new year would provide greater stability and resilience for Scotland’s railways.

“It would also end profiteering and provide greater value for money for taxpayers and passengers by ensuring all funds are re-invested into creating an improved and more affordable railway that can play a greater role in connecting communities and reducing carbon emissions.”

The Scottish government responded by announcing a consultation on a revised franchising policy statement starting tomorrow.

Mick Cash, general secretary of rail union RMT, said: “It’s no coincidence that on the same day that a coalition of organisations and MSPs have called for the Scottish government to take Scotland’s rail passenger services into public ownership, it has announced that it is reviewing its franchising policy.

“There can be no more excuses. When the consultation is launched, the Scottish government must confirm that it is taking Scotland’s rail passenger services into public ownership from January 2021, when the Scotrail and Caledonian Sleeper emergency measures agreements expire.

“This is the only way to create a reliable, affordable, accessible and sustainable rail network for Scotland.”