Letter: Slow train
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.Sir: Roger Cowell (letter, 31 December) complains with reason about the train service from Oxford. A service such as he experienced sends a message to its customers: "We are unreliable and do not care about you. Please do not use our trains."
However, the Oxford train service was notoriously poor even before privatisation; hence the successful coach services which now compete with the trains between Oxford and London. By contrast, South West Trains' services from Hampshire to London were good before privatisation, and remain so (same trains, mostly the same staff). Privatisation seems to have had little effect on service quality either way, so far.
JOHN STANNING
Winchester
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments