Labour to nationalise train operators - ongoing discussion, merged posts

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I don't accept that, given the predominantly high quality of station PIS^▸ (Passenger Information System) displays and PA^▸ (Public Address (broadcast loudspeaker announcements) or Passenger Assist (railway staff providing physical assistance to passengers with mobility issues), depending on context) systems, passengers would not be able to board the correct service.

Indeed.  Since I got involved we have moved from three different liveries in many of these parts - Thames Trains, Wessex Trains and First Great Western to the ubiquitous but smart green Great Western Railway, and I don't notice lots of people getting on the wrong train.   Where they do, for example assuming that all northbound trains from Trowbridge go to Bath and Bristol, the odd trains going somewhere more interesting are in the same fleet anyway.

There is something to be said for fleet / route marking though out or artistic influence, and open access / no general ticketing services could benefit from being distinctive

[JayMac]

Interesting...........

https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-labour-claims-rail-reforms-would-save-taxpayer-2-2bn-a-year

Interesting indeed. Particularly Channel 4's use of the word 'would' in the title. All Labour have said about savings is there 'could' be some. And as they rightly point out, the government hasn't produced detailed analysis for their projected savings of £1.5bn. So why should Labour? You don't share your battleplan with the enemy.

Fact checking political party aspirations is a pointless task.

[TaplowGreen]

Interesting...........

https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-labour-claims-rail-reforms-would-save-taxpayer-2-2bn-a-year

Interesting indeed. Particularly Channel 4's use of the word 'would' in the title. All Labour have said about savings is there 'could' be some. And as they rightly point out, the government hasn't produced detailed analysis for their projected savings of £1.5bn. So why should Labour? You don't share your battleplan with the enemy.

Fact checking political party aspirations is a pointless task.

It's funny in politics how quickly commitments work their way down to being claims and then aspirations, but without data all that's left is rhetoric I guess.

[JayMac]

It's to be remembered also that these announcements are the usual pre-manifesto electioneering. There is a general election looming.

[Chris from Nailsea]

It's become very topical - I'm giving this topic a bump now! 

[broadgage]

I am not convinced that nationalisation would help.
Some aspects of "the railway" were better in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days, but a lot was not.

Things that were better under BR
Train length and capacity
Passenger comfort, sprung seats and better legroom.
Luggage space, even local services had van space for cycles and heavy luggage.
Catering on almost all intercity services and many outer suburban ones as well.
Fares, relative to incomes were generally more affordable, and also simpler.

Things that have got better since.
Many services are more frequent.
Air conditioning on almost all long distance trains and some local ones.
Disabled access generally better.
Digital displays for train information and other announcements.
Safety has generally improved.

[Electric train]

I am not convinced that nationalisation would help.
Some aspects of "the railway" were better in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days, but a lot was not.

Things that were better under BR
Train length and capacity
Passenger comfort, sprung seats and better legroom.
Luggage space, even local services had van space for cycles and heavy luggage.
Catering on almost all intercity services and many outer suburban ones as well.
Fares, relative to incomes were generally more affordable, and also simpler.

Things that have got better since.
Many services are more frequent.
Air conditioning on almost all long distance trains and some local ones.
Disabled access generally better.
Digital displays for train information and other announcements.
Safety has generally improved.

Some of those got better, would have inevitable happened under BR, likewise many of those that have got worse since BR would have happened.

Changes to the way the National railway is operated and maintained will be changed by an in coming Government, GBR^▸ (Great British Railways) will happen its just what shape it will take