Jingsamichty

In the UK the railway network is publicly owned, by Network Rail, which is effectively a government-owned company. That is, the track, the stations, the signalling, all the physical infrastructure.

It is the Train Operating Companies which are private. I agree there is no good reason why train operations can't be privately-managed but publicly-owned. Same goes for all of the UK assets which were privatised... the government should have retained 51% ownership of all of them. It was madness to sell them off completely.

scrubbedexpat142

The UK Govt. retained a 49% stake in the air traffic control service when it instigated the public/private partnership back in 2001.

Thairetired2016

Germany offers various concessioniary travel cards which give you different levels of discounts. I had a 50% senior travel card which cost me 130€? approx. Can only use it for 2nd class travel.
In Austria I have a senior vorteilscard which costs me approx. 29 €, gives 50% reduction on 1st or 2nd class fares.

HKG3

The German one looks rather expensive - the UK version (Senior Railcard) costs £30 for a year and it will give you a third off most off peak rail fares.

scot47

Look BEYOND the price of your "Loyalty Card" to what the travel costs in itself. The British rail companies are rip-off merchants. Take them over. Without compensation.

Novocastrian

You might be interested in this article... https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...rivately-owned

scrubbedexpat142

And bring these back while we're at it!

scrubbedexpat142

The air traffic service is not a million miles from the model suggested.

Novocastrian

True. Which is why it's credible.