Reply to: Privatisation has been so good for Briton's railways...

[Zippy]

It's not privatisation that failed the railways, it was the public work force they inherited.

My train is away 2 minutes early every morning, I used to pick up a complaints form every morning at the next station. "Train left early, late is excusable, early is incompetence"

Each time I got reply back, "we will raise this at the next monthly staff meeting", can you not just get them told to get their jobs done correctly.

Or change the timetable

[minestrone]

It's not privatisation that failed the railways, it was the public work force they inherited.

My train is away 2 minutes early every morning, I used to pick up a complaints form every morning at the next station. "Train left early, late is excusable, early is incompetence"

Each time I got reply back, "we will raise this at the next monthly staff meeting", can you not just get them told to get their jobs done correctly.

[TimberWolf]

With capacity utilisation like that, it is no wonder how the Bob's are out competing the west.

Yeah, I'd like to know who built their railways.

[HairyArsedBloke]

That would be just like Soviet short range (few hours) trains then

Might as well do this next -

With capacity utilisation like that, it is no wonder how the Bob's are out competing the west.

[OwlHoot]

Or some flea infested backwater close to London (yeah okay, Reading) that you need find transport from.

Slough

as in Slough of despond

This miry Slough is such a place as cannot be mended; it is the descent whither the scum and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run, and therefore is it called the Slough of Despond: for still as the sinner is awakened about his lost condition, there ariseth in his soul many fears, and doubts, and discouraging apprehensions, which all of them get together, and settle in this place; and this is the reason of the badness of this ground.

[Zippy]

If O'Leary was running railways then train to "London" would actually terminate at Reading ...

[Zippy]

What's the equivalent of the mile high club for train travel?

The 'Bench Under'?

[TimberWolf]

If O'Leary was running railways then train to "London" would actually terminate at Reading ...

Or some flea infested backwater close to London (yeah okay, Reading) that you need find transport from.

[CheeseSlice]

To be fair, buses don't have toilets, and bus journeys can often take an hour.

The difference with a bus is they can stop and let you out if you really have to go.
Trains can be delayed, or stuck on tracks in the middle of nowhere, and they wont let you out if you're not at a station and its not safe.

This will happen to Southern,... there will be a cow on the tracks or something, the train will be stranded for 2 hours, and a few dozen people will wet themselves. I really dont think they've thought this one through properly.

[AtW]

If O'Leary was running railways then train to "London" would actually terminate at Reading ...

[TimberWolf]

More's the pity O'Leary isn't running the railways. The conditions could hardly be worse (outside of rip-off class), but the price could do with his touch.

And go from this:

                        Cheap        Expensive
Comfortable        
Uncomfortable                           X


To this:

                        Cheap        Expensive
Comfortable        
Uncomfortable             X

What would an O'Leary railway be like? One bag per customer? Saddle seats? A third class (probably a good idea, why was it taken away?). Trains might run on time too (I gather his airline has the best on-time record).

[AtW]

That would be just like Soviet short range (few hours) trains then

Might as well do this next -

[mudskipper]

An O'Leary moment - except this one doesn't seem to be a joke. I really hope they refurbish their trains to include easily washable floors and upholstery

And make sure their stations have open and functioning toilet facilities.

To be fair, buses don't have toilets, and bus journeys can often take an hour.

[oracleslave]

An O'Leary moment - except this one doesn't seem to be a joke. I really hope they refurbish their trains to include easily washable floors and upholstery

What's the equivalent of the mile high club for train travel?

[Zippy]

An O'Leary moment - except this one doesn't seem to be a joke. I really hope they refurbish their trains to include easily washable floors and upholstery