Travel: Organised rail chaos
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.QUESTION 1: Now that British Rail has been split up, how many different organisations do you have to deal with on a journey from Clapham Junction to Gatwick Airport?
Answer: seven, and counting. To find out departure times, you have to call the telephone information service provided by South Eastern (whose other job is to run trains to Kent). Clapham Junction station, Europe's busiest, is owned by Railtrack; but the ticket office is staffed by Southwest Trains. You can use a Network SouthEast card to get a discount, even though the issuing organisation has ceased to exist. I caught a train owned by one of the three rolling-stock leasing companies, but operated by Network SouthCentral. I returned on a Thameslink train, run by the seventh enterprise of the trip. Presumably most of the pounds 4.50 revenue from my ticket was used up in accountancy fees to decide who got what. To have bought a cup of tea would have entailed who knows what financial intricacies. A good job there was no buffet.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments