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The problem is when Nulabour replaced Railtrack and renationalized the tracks and infrastructure under Network Rail, Almost the first thing they did was what all parasitical public services do when offered the open wallet of the public purse....Gave themselves a huge pay rise.

Even with no shareholders to pay now, the poor bloody taxpayer will know doubt end up having to stump up most of the ?22.7 billion they want over the next 5 years. That is one hell of a subsidy on top of soaring ticket prices.

They always check at New Street- do you mean Snow Hill or Moor Street?

With, according to statistics, more people travelling yet with a few exceptions the same number of trains operated by the same number of staff the cost per passenger is less so fares should be rising less than the real level of inflation.

Please correct me if wrong but is there far less tax / duty etc on railway fuel than road transport?

The current system is too fragmented, the admin costs of splitting income from fares and subsidies according to a formula between operators, paying track access charges and lease fees for rolling stock not to mention the continual refranchising must be massive.

Then every time a franchise changes hands a programming of repainting, changing uniforms, signs, stationary etc when the money could be used for real improvements.

The costs each of say even 200 journeys on an annual season ticket is but a fraction a single journey ticket, and even a off-peak 'walk-on' single journey.
What other industry offers its most popular products at the time of peak demand at such massive discounts?
Season ticket pricing needs a drastic review, linked to a policy of encouraging smaller companies and factories so journeys to/from work are shorter and more evenly distributed.

Further to my post yesterday, The taxpayers Alliance Rich list has put The head of Network Rail at the top, Yes folks, Mr Ian Croucher head of the nationalized Network Rail earns ?1,244,000 a year.

Now what were you saying about wanting MORE nationalization!!

Britixh railways are still absolutely rubbish compared to the service and price in virtually any other northern European country. They may run more trains on time these days, but the rolling stock and track are not up to the standards you'd expect for the rip-off prices they charge.

The trains I used in Germany in the 80's were better than most of those running in the UK today - and German trains today are 20 years ahead of this country in every respect - price, cleanliness, comfort, punctuality, safety.

May as well drive if you have a car in the UK - it's cheaper.