I agree 100% with the stupidity of HS2.
All the money should go to adding capacity and improving infrastructure, for example re-doubling the line from Salisbury to Exeter and putting in a proper flyover at Woking, so the Portsmouth line trains don't have to cross the Salisbury line. Free the flow.
Then there is the Woodhead route..don't get me started. Likewise the Alternative Brighton line. Sadly some of the capacity increases will be bad news for a few preservation railways....
Pricing should be per km, with a simple load factor applied.
Also, on all trains that are classed as "inter city" if anyone has to stand they should get a 90% refund. Going up to London from Salisbury on any rush hour train it is standing room only after Basingstoke and likewise returning from London if you don't get on at Waterloo it is standing only to Basingstoke.
All that being said, I do use the trains.....I can get to York and back in a day and using a Senior Citizens Rail Card it costs a lot less, even in first, than driving there and back and staying a night.
