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UK train operator nationalised by government after 30 years of privatisation (www.independent.co.uk)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by to c/unitedkingdom@feddit.uk
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Chiltern Railways’ services became the latest to transition into public ownership on Sunday, marking the sixth train operator to be nationalised by the Government.

The UK’s largest train operator, Govia Thameslink Railway, alongside c2c, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway, and West Midlands Trains, have already been brought into public ownership by the Government.

From December, the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that 25 additional daily Chiltern Railways services will be introduced to help tackle "overcrowding", delivering 10,000 extra seats during each weekday. This plan incorporates half-hourly weekday trains running along the Chiltern main line between London and Birmingham, as well as an increase in weekend journeys.

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[–] 8 points 2 days ago (1 child)

Partner and I took Amtrak from Seattle to San Diego (roughly 2,000km apart)

The Amtrak trip took over 40hours and was easily 5x the price of flying.

I strongly support trains and travel options aside from driving and flying but goddamn has the US implemented rail travel in the worst way.

This was a while back, over a decade ago and I’d love to hear if its improved any.)

All told, the views of the west coast were spectacular and relaxing but still not enough to make up for the time/cost.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 days ago

    It hasn't. As a method of commuting or travel to get somewhere it's terrible. As a relaxing journey where the destination isn't the point, it's rather nice… assuming you have a room. And can afford it.

    I took the train from Seattle to Philly via Chicago, and it was a really great trip. The food on the Empire Builder was actually good and included, and the observation car was the perfect place to hang out, play cards, and just watch the scenery go by.

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