Title: Would it be realistic to renationalise the railways? - BBC News
Headings: Would it be realistic to renationalise the railways?
Would it be realistic to renationalise the railways?
Nationalisation of the railways
Rail services around the world
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Content: Over time the Green Party would return the railways to public ownership to secure a cheaper and better service," a party spokesperson says. " As franchises expire, they would be re-allocated to a public body nominated by the secretary of state." Plaid Cymru wants to see a devolved railway in Wales with "as much public control as possible". Rail franchising in Wales has already been devolved and now discussions are taking place over infrastructure, it says. " Our priority is that no profits should be taken out of the network in the form of dividends." The Scottish National Party is not explicit about where it stands on rail nationalisation. But it attacks the restriction on public bodies bidding for franchises. A party spokesman says it has asked three UK secretaries of state to have the law changed and each time been refused. image copyright
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The 'Inter-City Girls' were employed by British Rail to deal with passenger enquiries in 1968
Free market advocates argue that the Railways Act did not deliver enough privatisation. They say since Railtrack was brought back into public hands to become Network Rail the railways have been a strange hybrid of state and private sector.