As they call yet more strikes today and tomorrow, rail unions are the leading candidates for the most miserable and destructive institutions in contemporary Britain. Train operating companies, though, are not far behind.
Having ripped us off for years by ruthlessly exploiting the local monopolies gifted to them through the franchise system they can’t even run their trains on time on non-strike days. First Group, which was finally relieved of its Transpennine franchise this week, managed to run just 46.5 per cent of its services on time during the last three months of 2022. Avanti West Coast, which for the moment retains its franchise – though God knows why – managed only 34 per cent. And that was after reducing its timetable by two thirds in some cases.
Government and train operating companies have encouraged the unions to make ever more brazen demands
These companies are now pleading to keep their franchises by arguing that if they lose them it will be taken as a victory for the unions.
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