Rail is the one area where privatisation seems to have fallen on its bottom. The government pays more for rail than ever before, and the quality of service is at best patchy. I think this is partly due to the relative absence of competition on any given route. For example, to get from Manchester to London, only a Virgin* option comes up, regardless of which app or website I use**. The trains seem to be more crowded than ever***. I wouldn't even consider economy class, when I visit London.
* Though to be fair to Beardy's company, they're not that bad.
** We did have a longer, cheaper route, from Manchester Victoria; I don't know what happened to that (maybe competition, maybe regulation).
*** Notingham to Manchester, standing room only, is no laughing matter.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
