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I'm generally not in favour of nationalising businesses with my views coloured also by the stifling nature of "public sector" attitude mainly displayed in local government. (That should stimulate a few replies!) However, our British Railways are crying out for some sort of unification and some sort of nationalised approach.
In bidding for franchises, bidding fever takes over amonst those who have little experience of the realities and are motivated by greed - some parallels in banking? Having offered unrealistic sums to secure a franchise, quite apart from dubious operating expertise and no control over key parts of the jigsaw, is it any wonder they can't make it stack up particularly when the economy takes a downturn - it does every so often as it does in all business.
The government in their usual short sighted way may feel smug about the money taken for a franchise but do they consider, never mind understand, the sustainability issue? Once again the taxpayer pays for the mistakes.
We need to support rail in this country and take a unified long term approach to all transport not just one that has a view corresponding to governments likely term in office or political dogma.
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