Now I have a, BIG, stinking, huge, opinion on this. For the time being this is how I make my money in my life when I travel to different shops.
In Short
I don't mind strikes, with a valid point and/or at the correct time of day when it won't affect the economy.
Some train company's are great and some are that spot that a biting insect gave you and it hurts every time you sit down! (Pain in the ass, but part of life!)
I will be affect by strikes always but will get where I need to if I have to. Normally by coach in these hard times.
If its illegal strike it will always be taken to court and won end of.
In Long
First off Southern need to start to <img> get their act together. Out of the trains I catch with them 9/10 trains have a delay without a valid reason. 1/20 Trains has no delay and 1/20 trains is delayed with a vailed reason like the one on Thurs when I found a sports bag on the train and caused a security scare.
.
Now where do I start with First Capital Connect (Thameslink awhile back) They are the scum of the earth of train services. However some of the trains they run up north are aok. In actual fact sooner or later they will be not running and go bankrupt if they keep on the way they are enough said they are worse than southern.
Virgin all experiences great. Only ridden twice so biased.
South Eastern 50 50 have to say neither good nor bad.
South Western Superb seriously every time I have had trouble sorted out no matter what!.
Gatwick Express Best of the Best.
That's all I can say about train companies now strikes.
Striking at Easter during the day they can shove it up their asses. They also should have privileges taken away as well. Why? Who pays your wages? The Customer. When do they travel most? Day time during holidays and to get to work e.t.c. Get my point? There is a time and a place for everything. And 6-9 April was not. Also do it in the correct way and do it legally for <img> sake. Any court will turn over a strike which is illegal in any way like this one. So do it right. Also doing it right first time will also help you get your message across they are doing for the right reasons not the wrong reasons.
Right now onto privatisation.
Yes good idea. Depending how much a train company pays to have the trains on the track, depends who goes first when a strike and/or delays occur. (My point being Gatwick Express get priority over southern and other train companies.) This also gives the government steady income and one less thing to worry about. We also get better fairs and seating (though some don't see it) through competition. So re-nationalisation? My answer would be to <img> on it and flush it down the pan!
Last but not least the environment.
Here is a good table of CO2 emissions per a 150 mile journey.
To see more comparisons in this table click this link below \/
http://www.transportdirect.info/web2/Jo ... tingloop=Y
Very efficient way of reducing carbon foot print, even though some companies and journeys take the piss with crowding and delays. But get it right and you are fine.
Thanks For Reading! I am going to contribute a lot to this conversation.!