UNION reps accused coalition ministers of “legalised racketeering” yesterday as bidding began for a key rail network to be farmed out to yet another privateer.

Department for Transport bureaucrats launched the competition to find an operator for the East Anglia franchise — currently operated by Abellio Greater Anglia. The new operator will take over next year.

The news comes after Labour shadow transport secretary Michael Dugher vowed to “bin” the franchise model which has characterised the railways since privatisation.

Campaigners have previously accused Tories of wrecking such plans by extending franchises and accelerating bidding timetables.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “This is another spin of the wheel in the great rail franchise lottery with the same bunch of spivs, speculators and failures queuing up for another chance to rob the travelling public blind.

“The only solution to this legalised rail franchise racketeering is full public ownership and an end to private exploitation.”

New figures released yesterday revealed that an astonishing 1.7 million passengers had tweeted complaints to private operators of services into London.