[Andy McDandy]

They had a year between "Liberals won't let us do it" and "That was under Cameron and he's gone", most of which time they could fall back on "After the referendum, please".

[Yug]

I'm not surprised they kept quiet about this

A process to shut nearly all of Britain’s railway station ticket offices could begin as early as next week, the RMT union has warned.

Almost 1,000 offices are believed to be targeted for closure under government proposals to cut costs and “modernise” the railway, although ministers have for months shied away from spelling out the extent of the plans, in the face of concern from their own MPs as well as unions and passenger groups...

https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... tart-weeks

Unions and campaigners have warned that cutting ticket offices will make it harder for vulnerable passengers and people with disabilities to travel by rail.

With only about one in eight tickets now bought at a ticket office, the industry argues the public would be better served by moving staff from offices to broader roles on station concourses.

"Only one in eight..." Which means 12.5% of rail passengers still rely on booking offices. If they were serious about getting people on trains (if) they would be making it easier to buy tickets, not harder.

Hey, Tories! Not everyone is on-line yet, you thick cunts.

[davidjay]

I would say that about three-quarters of the times I use a local train there's no checks or barriers at either station. To be honest I feel almost cheated that I pay when it's so easy to get away with it.

[Samanfur]

It's the opposite where I am.

Did anyone else see Ben Elton talking about the rail network on C4 last night? He wasn't sparing anyone's blushes.

[soulboy]

Some powerful observations about managed decline but no mention of freight and too much Boo London! Boo HS2!!

I was sat there thinking "this is all a bit Andy Burnham" when guess who popped up?

[Yug]

The Transport Twat of the Year award goes to the British Government for making this situation a reality.

(Nicked from Private Eye)

[Bones McCoy]

Is this what we've become.

‘An absolute mess’: learner drivers forced to buy tests on black market as companies block-book slots

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... book-slots

Britain’s system of allocating driving tests is in disarray in many parts of the country as learner drivers are forced to travel hundreds of miles for their tests or pay unofficial brokers up to £400 to avoid the queues, reveals an Observer investigation.

The number of drivers waiting to take their practical tests climbed above 500,000 this year, rising from 147,716 in January 2020 to 538,702 in August.

Brokers are exploiting the frantic hunt for tests by using software applications known as bots to book available slots on the government website the moment they become available – which they then sell at a hefty profit.

Spivs and rent seekers everywhere.

[Yug]

Not dead, just resting..?

No properties bought up for the northern leg of HS2 have been sold since the project was scrapped, the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed...


... A spokesperson for the DfT said: "We're committed to delivering infrastructure that works for the whole country and helps to grow the economy.

"We will thoroughly review the position we have inherited before setting out more detailed plans in due course."

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz4725118r5o.amp

It would appear that the absolute clusterfuck that was the Tories' handling of HS2 might be in serious danger of being sorted out by a bunch of grown-ups. Maybe later rather than sooner, but the possibility is there.