Dear Editor, Railway campaigners, you tell us, forecast that passengers will notice little change from Virgin Rail’s loss of the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup.
I do hope they’re wrong, and that the new franchise holders will make sure they get rid of the stink of lavatory that seems to be the signature of Virgin Trains, reconfigure the seating to provide all passengers with both leg-room and a window to look out of, and fit a few luggage racks so we don’t have to share our limited space with other passengers’ bags and suitcases.
Virgin couldn’t be bothered to do any of these simple things, so FirstGroup will make many new friends if they can.
JES Bradshaw
Southam, Warwickshire
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Dear Editor, As an ex rail man, and ex-chairman of New Street LDC, (union rep) I saw privatisation introduced on the railway, and every few years the franchises changed.
Each time it marked a significant erosion of services and increase in fares.
The madness of trying to issue the most economic ticket on the route operated by different rail operators didn’t work then, and it doesn’t work now.
ST Vaughan, Birmingham
