Andy McDonald responds to resignation of FirstGroup CEO

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to the resignation of FirstGroup’s CEO, said: “The announcement today that FirstGroup’s CEO, Tim O’Toole, is quitting should ring alarm bells for Chris Grayling.

“It appears that First is clinging to the TransPennine Express franchise by its fingertips, which is yet further evidence, if any was still needed, that the franchising system itself is in disarray.

“This comes hot on the heels of the mayhem across the country, with new train timetables causing chaos for passengers, whilst Chris Grayling is flailing around blaming anybody but himself.

“The Transport Secretary is asleep at the wheel as the travelling public continues to pay a heavy price for his failure – he needs to wake up and accept responsibility for the complete mess he’s making of our railways.”