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# Virgin Trains...
Bah.. They are terrible.. But you have no Choice if you want to go to certain destinations.. And all the Train Companies are equally Useless...

Thank the Lord they opened up the railways to competition...
(I helped save b3ta! Spenface ALWAYS hangs in the Buffalo Stance, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:30, archived)
# Yes... thank god
It has made all our lives so much better...
(I helped save b3ta! Monsieur Monster I heard Seriously talk the first time. in here., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:31, archived)
# i had great fun on a virgin train...
i sat, drunk as a lord, in the "quiet carriage" and shouted "SHHHHHHH!!!!" at anyone who breathed
(I helped save b3ta! likeajackhammer, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:32, archived)
# Hahaha
(I helped save b3ta! AutoPrawn is glad we're living in the future now, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:34, archived)
# Arrgh pet topic of mine
it's not privatised at all. Privatisation is where companies comepete against each other. The railways are lots of little monopolies over sections of track. There is no competition and no reason for the rail companies to provide good service.
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:32, archived)
# And there's no competition for trains at specific times
If you need to get somewhere at 12:30 you don't get to choose from a variety of companies that'll get you there.
(Mucifer I like mooses, best of all the animals, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:35, archived)
# exactly
privatisation only works when you have companies scrapping each other to get your custom. On the railways they have it sown up for their particular patch
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:37, archived)
# until it comes up for tender
then they scrap for it
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:43, archived)
# It also only works for services where "trying to make money" equals "providing a good service".
I don't think this includes transport.
(I helped save b3ta! Newington, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 17:44, archived)
# they are franchises
the rail companies each bid against each other to get that franchise

network rail then chose the train opperating company that they think does the best bid
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:41, archived)
# if only it worked like that in practice
frequently, companies underbid in order to get the franchise, and are then forced to either reduce service or demand money back from the government, which on many occasions they've got, as the government doesn't want to see the companies pull the plug. Even on the better managed franchises, the short term nature of the deal stops investment in new rolling stock.
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:44, archived)
# the timetable is predefine by network rail
and some base case scenarios are given, with all data held in a data room that is available to each company

the companies then do their rolling stock diagrams and then have to bid back for timetable changes
then they have to fit the crew into this

it is all rather complicated

edit: also, they don't all own their own rolling stock
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:48, archived)
# this is true
and I also appreciate that Virgin Rail's main punctuality problem is New Street which isn't designed to cope with the weight of movements. That's not their fault, but they could still do a lot better
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:51, archived)
# So the only Competition is:
Who can get the Network Rail Execs on their side with Bungs, Free Meals and an 'Aspirational' reduced running cost/perfect safety record (that they can then renegotiate)
(I helped save b3ta! Spenface ALWAYS hangs in the Buffalo Stance, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:44, archived)
# nah
but that way would be a LOT easier
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:49, archived)
# [Pedant]
Network Rail doesn't choose, Department for Transport Rail do. Used to be done by the Strategic Rail Authority before John Prescott decided he wanted his own trainset (back when he actually did something beside eat pies).

Network Rail "manage" the infrastructure.
[/pedant]
(Gyrate AHHHHHH! Saviour of the Universe!, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:49, archived)
# that's who I meant sorry
:¬)
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:53, archived)
#
petitions.pm.gov.uk/limitprofit/
(I helped save b3ta! FreudianSlap, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:50, archived)