[hairyhandedfool]

I think, given the current top three political parties, Re-nationalisation would be a mistake, that said the current state of affairs is far from ideal. For the franchises, the goalposts keep changing, not just by their own actions but that of the DfT and Network Rail/Railtrack. What the railway needs is standard franchise lengths, no overall suibsidies (excepting that some may be needed at the begining), but most of all a national fares structure. The current system is ludicrous and in need of change. There are two extremes to this, Virgin are constantly slated for fares increases, yet they have started out with 40 year stock and now have the most advanced stock on the railway. Granted the fares probably don't match the service but when has that ever happened? Thameslink, on the otherhand, started out with 15 year old stock which is still in use yet make more profit than anyone else.

The franchises could do with being bigger, more joined up rather than the fragmented them and us we currently have. In reality we have big bus companies running small train companies, when we should have a range of companies bidding for a smaller group of larger franchises.

Just my opinion.

P.S. Hope you feel better.