train rant #583

Ahh the joys of privatisation. My monthly train ticket here is more expensive than my monthly rent was in Oz. And yet, particularly in the last couple of months, I have had the privilege of daily delays, cancellations and overcrowding. And now the rail bosses are trying to justify it all with 'but Packed trains are safer'.

Of course this is ridiculous isn't it? How many crashes can there be? well when everything is privatised and no money goes towards maintaining equipment or the tracks, or towards training staff, there are more derailments, crashes, etc than one would like. But of course in a bad incident, more people in a carriage will mean more are going to get hurt.

So of course people got angry at the bosses attempts to justify overcrowding. and the bosses response was 'If a passenger boards an already crowded service, they are in effect saying to First Great Western that they agree to travel in those conditions' i.e. if you don't like it, bugger off. Don't get on your overcrowded train, instead wait in the freezing conditions, on a metal bench if you are lucky enough to get one, for the next train. it will be here in half an hour. oh wait, it is running late due to overcrowding. so don't get that one either. next train in 40 minutes. but that train has had to be cancelled due to a problem with the train due to lack of maintenance. next train in 50 minutes. now there has been a problem with line due to lack of maintenance... looks like it is a snow day and i am working from home again.