True stories from the Great Railway Disaster; No 19: so you want to buy a timetable?
A weekly chronicle of the absurdities caused by the Government's privatisation programme
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.GRAHAM LARKBEY of Hornsey, north London, recently asked at Victoria station's ticket office for the free supplement which is always produced by BR to provide corrections and amendments to the main timetable.
The enquiry clerk shook his head: he could not supply one because the concession to sell timetables at Victoria - and at several other large stations - has been given to WH Smith. The problem for train operators such as Network SouthCentral at Victoria is that they have to buy timetables from the British Rail Board which will not provide them on sale or return. In the new commercial world of railways they dare not risk losing money by over-ordering. WH Smith is also supposed to hand out the free supplements, but Barry Doe, a railway consultant and timetable expert, points out that shops are not used to handing out free goods so the supplements are often not available to passengers.
Mr Larkbey also points out that it is now harder to get information from displays at railway stations.
He says: "Previously, when divisions of BR wanted to improve the advertising of services at their stations, they just stuck up a few more display boards. Now, every additional display board has to be agreed by Railtrack, the station landlords, and each one is liable to increase the amount of rent paid by the train operator to Railtrack."
Therefore there is a disincentive for operators to provide extra information.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments