What does anybody else think about the current attitude the emanates from the private companies that operate our trains, and their industry representative, our lovely readers at ATOC?
Not so long ago, Arriva did a press release saying they wanted to end national ticketing. They essentially want us to drink their urine and praise the vintage. There have been increases in restrictions to fares on Northern, across CrossCountry and elsewhere and more pain than ever before when each new set of fares comes out (thinking of Travelcards with some emphasis).
Some disputes have come to light on this forum where certain train companies (not looking at you Southeastern) have decided with relation to some things that this is a position they have taken, the rules, their franchise and their customers bedamned. We also have to question the role of people at RSP if you take a look at the changes they have made to National Rail Enquiries and trying to remove historical permissions.
What can the politicians, whom we are now choosing, and who hardly seem to be discussing transport and railways at all, actually do about private companies who get to big for their boots? And why is it now that top level management (yes you, Alex Hynes) are so blatantly ignorant of what their franchise needs?
And, of course, the natural question, would nationalisation, or perhaps a change of model that ends franchising, ensure that the railway can actually be run for the benefit of its passengers, rather than some shareholders?
Not so long ago, Arriva did a press release saying they wanted to end national ticketing. They essentially want us to drink their urine and praise the vintage. There have been increases in restrictions to fares on Northern, across CrossCountry and elsewhere and more pain than ever before when each new set of fares comes out (thinking of Travelcards with some emphasis).
Some disputes have come to light on this forum where certain train companies (not looking at you Southeastern) have decided with relation to some things that this is a position they have taken, the rules, their franchise and their customers bedamned. We also have to question the role of people at RSP if you take a look at the changes they have made to National Rail Enquiries and trying to remove historical permissions.
What can the politicians, whom we are now choosing, and who hardly seem to be discussing transport and railways at all, actually do about private companies who get to big for their boots? And why is it now that top level management (yes you, Alex Hynes) are so blatantly ignorant of what their franchise needs?
And, of course, the natural question, would nationalisation, or perhaps a change of model that ends franchising, ensure that the railway can actually be run for the benefit of its passengers, rather than some shareholders?
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