Much of the support for renationalising the railways was grounded in the hope that state ownership would reduce rail fares (which are among the highest in Europe);

however, it now seems that will be unlikely, as any extra cash saved by nationalisation will be spent on maintenance, infrastructure & increased services (which in fairness are also what the network needs).

But as fares are what voters most immediately experience, how will this play out?

#railways #politics
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqg73znzzeo

Labour cannot promise cheaper rail fares under renationalisation

Transport Secretary says she will "strain every sinew" so customers get value for money as SWR brought back into public hands.

BBC News
@ChrisMayLA6 The quasi-nationalisation of railways is symptomatic of the UK Government's refusal to spend what is needed into the economy. Until the Exchequer understands that the nation's accounts are not those of a company or a household, we will be stuck in this ever-deepening trench of austerity, with insufficient funding even to maintain - let alone increase - our current levels of societal contentment.