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Rail ways are natural monopoly, but trains running on those tracks are not. I'm certainly not arguing for Thatcher-style privatization of trains, but the step b

Rail ways are natural monopoly, but trains running on those tracks are not. I'm certainly not arguing for Thatcher-style privatization of trains, but the step by step privatization that is happening here in Czechia makes sense, improves service and lowers prices.

willyt 8y ago
I think it depends how busy the network is. If there are lots of free slots for new services and it’s possible to run faster by just buying new trains then maybe. But in the UK it’s saturated and many services have been running to pretty much the same timetables since the 1970’s so the whole network operates like a massive interlinked system of gears covering the whole country which in most cases has to be centrally coordinated. The only real flexibility that private operators have is what colour the train is and how clean are the carpets. They are allowed to offer cheaper fares, but many don’t offer particularly good deals because the network is saturated and demand is high so there is no reason to do this. Edit: added ‘which in most cases has to be centrally coordinated.’
- dazc 8y ago
  If you can be flexible when you travel there are some cheap fares to be had (like Leeds to Southampton for £62 First Class) but, at peak times it is a different story, especially if you buy a ticket on the same day of travel. The real problem is that so many people need to travel within a narrow time window. Also, in the south, lots of people are commuting 100 miles or more each way because they can't afford to live near where they work. Rail travel in the UK is a victim of its own success in a perverse kind of way.
  - whenchamenia 8y ago
    The trip you mention is 200-250miles, depending on route. Thats about $2 a mile, is that considered cheap when last mile is still an issue? Asking seriously, I have no concept of rail pricing.
    - dazc 8y ago
      Regular price for such a journey would be around £300. As an example: Southampton to London is a relatively short journey and IIRC the standard non-first class fare is over £70.

willyt 8y ago

I think it depends how busy the network is. If there are lots of free slots for new services and it’s possible to run faster by just buying new trains then maybe. But in the UK it’s saturated and many services have been running to pretty much the same timetables since the 1970’s so the whole network operates like a massive interlinked system of gears covering the whole country which in most cases has to be centrally coordinated. The only real flexibility that private operators have is what colour the train is and how clean are the carpets. They are allowed to offer cheaper fares, but many don’t offer particularly good deals because the network is saturated and demand is high so there is no reason to do this. Edit: added ‘which in most cases has to be centrally coordinated.’

dazc 8y ago
If you can be flexible when you travel there are some cheap fares to be had (like Leeds to Southampton for £62 First Class) but, at peak times it is a different story, especially if you buy a ticket on the same day of travel. The real problem is that so many people need to travel within a narrow time window. Also, in the south, lots of people are commuting 100 miles or more each way because they can't afford to live near where they work. Rail travel in the UK is a victim of its own success in a perverse kind of way.
- whenchamenia 8y ago
  The trip you mention is 200-250miles, depending on route. Thats about $2 a mile, is that considered cheap when last mile is still an issue? Asking seriously, I have no concept of rail pricing.
  - dazc 8y ago
    Regular price for such a journey would be around £300. As an example: Southampton to London is a relatively short journey and IIRC the standard non-first class fare is over £70.