Between 1994 and 1997 the ownership of British Rail passed from government control into private hands. The deregulation of the railway was in part motivated by the enactment of an EU directive.
It was hoped competition would allow for a more efficient railway. The opposite happened, privatisation proved an unmitigated disaster. Trains ran late, were cancelled and ticketing became more complicated than attempting the most difficult of crosswords. There were never-ending industrial problems.
The British experience stalled other European railways from going down the road of privatisation. At one stage it was hinted in Ireland, but the idea was quickly dropped.
Yesterday the new British Labour Government announced the re-nationalisation of the railway. The new rail company will be known as The Great British Railways.
A great day for railway travellers across the United Kingdom.
1 comment:
Hello, good morning and greetings from London.
Your blog regarding the new British Labour Government decision to nationalise the railway.
That's fine. But what you do not mention in your blog is that during the period of privatisation of the railway there has been record investment in the UK railway infrastructure - rolling stock, permanent way, infrastructure - an investment which never occurred under both previous Labour and Tory administrations.
Edward Walsh
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