DELAYS, over-crowding and now strikes. Disillusioned commuters have just about come to the end of the line with government promises over the state of the rail industry.
The £33.5billion package promised by the Strategic Rail Authority is hoped to alleviate the problems and has been welcomed by MPs, rail-users' groups and rail companies.
But not everyone is convinced.
Passengers say whatever the amount of money ploughed in, it will not help get the industry back on track. And that's if it happens, as much of the £33.5billion is dependent on private investment.
And many feel that East Lancashire as a whole is being left out. The SRA's plans focus heavily on London and the south of the country -- which accounts for 70 per cent of all rail journeys.
About 1,700 new train coaches have been promised for the busy southern England routes within the next two years. And measures are in place to combat overcrowding on London routes and to take a fresh look at the fares structure, as well as easing congestion at London's main stations. All of which leave East Lancashire passengers standing on the platform.
Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans voiced his concerns, slamming the plans as inadequate. He said: "It seems as if East Lancashire has been forgotten once again by the SRA. Everybody believes there should be investment in the infrastructure in rural areas as well as on major urban networks.
"But with a lot of this depending on money from the private sector, I wonder if we will see any of it anyway."
Brian Grey, chairman of Railfuture North West, a passenger group pressing for improvements to passenger and freight services, agreed. He said: "There doesn't seem to be much for Lancashire and perhaps not as much as we would like for the North West as a whole.
"The SRA has been referred to as a 'London-centric' organisation. We would like to see it have an office in the north of England to be more aware of what is going on up here."
Passengers are also unimpressed.
Diane Chesters, of Holmbrook Close, Blackburn, missed her train to London after the service to Preston was delayed. She said: "Most trains are late. Maybe more money needs to go into it."
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