Speaking as someone who spent, literally, thousands of pounds a year on rail travel (my own trips, trips with the family, etc) but was affected by industrial action, I purchased a car & we virtually never travel by train now. We can’t be the only ones. I know not everyone has that choice, but I do wonder if ultimately these people are striking themselves out of a job.
Realistically though a car is still not a viable alternative into London (non XC example), and many other cities. Or to Scotland from Southern England if it's anyone other than someone used to very long 6 or 7 hour drives. Or north of the Midlands to Cornwall.
The railway remain so busy because as much as a lot of people aren't satisfied and it can be a gamble to get a seat at times and there are some cancellations and disruption, it's still often better than the roads if you're travelling into any major city, or 200 miles or more, unless you're a very confident driver obviously. Add to that parking woes.
Believe me, if I had that choice then I would also use a car. It’s now got to the stage where industrial action, overcrowding and poor service is forcing me to look at alternatives. Added to this, the cost difference between 4 adult XC fares and hiring a fixed fare private hire cab for long distance trips is actually not that much for some of the trips we make. This saddens me as I love our railways and I know there are many hard working, reliable people in the industry. I would hate to see a mass migration to roads but simple economics and convenience will always triumph.
I do however wholeheartedly support their right to air their grievances and stand up for their rights, otherwise we are taking a step backwards to Victorian employment practices and I’d like to think we’ve come a long way since those days!
Oh and just one last point, the XC staff are not actually striking, they are just working to the contract offered to them by their employer. It seems to me that the company management can not deliver the service as they have not hired enough people to cover the required shifts.
I don't think simple economics will triumph in this case though,because the car is often cheaper anyway for a group. It's the other factors which play a bigger part, i.e. the roads are so stressful, so congested, fast paced and require intense concentration for many hours, there is equal chance of unplanned delays on the motorways, the car can be uncomfortable in the heat, you can't do anything leisure or work while you drive, or eat while driving, etc etc. Edit: forgot to add a lot of people like to have a drink too which obviously you can't if you're driving and is not advisable for car passengers either.
Well pointed out re right to stand up for rights to avoid Victorian conditions of old from returning. On a wider note, I often wonder how much worse the working conditions would be on a general UK non railway level if it weren't for the remaining unionised industries still managing to just about stop terms deteriorating in the way so many other job conditions have over the last 15 years.