Julian Schwarzenbach on Nostr: Some of the franchising decisions were questionable. I believe the original Virgin ...

Some of the franchising decisions were questionable. I believe the original Virgin franchise was relatively generous allowing a fleet upgrade to Pendolinos and major track upgrades. After getting teething troubles sorted out, service was pretty good.
Franchise renegotiations since then have been ever more stingy leading to worsening service and the appalling Avanti. Public transport should primarily be run as a service not as a profit centre.