QUITE a few readers will be aware of the recent tragi-comedy on the York Scarborough railway line, when a broken-down set had to be pushed to York by another at 20mph.
The second train was bound for Manchester Airport, to the discomfiture of many passengers. Apparently it was not possible for "technical reasons", to detach and side-line the offending train anywhere along the 40 miles in question.
Even at the once busy Malton Station, relief lines have been taken up or rendered inoperative.
The whole episode symbolises the ruining and impoverishment of a once great public service. When the Prime Minister isn't pre-occupied with wars, he sometimes talks about public services. That means schools and hospitals. Right. But public transport is rarely mentioned - he flies about in helicopters, and doesn't know what we have to put up with.
It's time resources were re-directed from battleships, fighter jets and cluster bombs to restoring safest form of travel to its former dignity.
Roy Stevens,
Willow Bank,
New Earswick, York.
Updated: 10:09 Monday, March 15, 2004
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