What sounds like an interesting programme about the
UK▸ rail network's crackpot structure. Haven't listened to it yet myself.
It's been dubbed the Great Train Robbery, but Allan Urry asks who's robbing who? With fares set to rise, the programme examines why Britain's railways are so much more expensive than other European countries. Passengers in some parts of the UK complain they are caught out by a complex and confusing system of ticketing, which unfairly penalises them. Does it have to be so difficult to find out what the restrictions are on your journey? Why aren't there enough carriages for commuters travelling at peaks times? Overcrowding's got so bad, some are left behind on the platform. Much of the criticism is aimed at the Train Operating Companies, but how much are they to blame? And why does Network Rail, the company responsible for the national infrastructure, soak up the bulk of the 5 billion pounds of taxpayer's subsidy, yet according to its regulator, is 40 per cent less efficient than its EU» rivals?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vy0f6/File_on_4_The_Great_Train_Robbery/Available on
BBC» iPlayer. I'd hazard a guess that it will be available until next Tues, 23rd Nov. Can't be sure though as the 'until' date says 12:00am Thu, 1 Jan 2009.
