Tram U-turn a catastrophe
2 September 2011
Edinburgh's councillors pushed the first domino of public sector
sell-offs by condemning the future of Lothian Buses after a
spectacular U-turn on the city's tram fiasco.
Bus workers stormed-out of today's full council meeting in
disgust at the actions of council groups from across the political
spectrum.
The Unite trade union also say that the decision to progress the
airport to St. Andrews Square will consign the city to generations
of debt.
Unite Scottish regional secretary, Pat Rafferty, said: "This is
a total catastrophe for Lothian Buses, its workforce and the
public.
"This world class public service will now be saddled with the
debt of the trams fiasco leaving it to the mercy of the market.
"This shambolic council has unforgivably ignored the public and
workers affected, burdening the city with eye-watering levels of
debt that will cast a dark shadow over its public services."
The initial costs of the route will exceed £770 million but
industry experts have said the final cost could surpass £1 billion.
This is half a billion pounds more than the initial £500 million of
funding allocated by the Scottish government to complete a city
wide tram project in 2008.
ENDS
For further information please contact Pat Rafferty on 07810
157929; Unite Lothian Buses branch secretary Rab Fraser on 07981
673899; or Peter Welsh in the Campaigns Unit on 07810 157931.
