The First Great Western train timetable changes (Oxford Mail, December 16) are yet another example of the results of a totally misconceived privatisation which is now working against the customers' interests and any idea of a progressive national transport policy.

Despite declarations of intent by a succession of transport ministers such as John Prescott and Alistair Darling, this Government has done nothing to improve our railways, except to see through existing schemes. There was also, of course, the Stephen Byers' fiasco.

Proposals such as reopening the Great Central line for freight to the Channel Tunnel, a new commuter line from Stokenchurch into Marylebone and reopening the Wheatley, Thame, Risborough route into London by Chiltern Railways (FGW certainly needs a competitor) and many other schemes nationally have been met with spectacular indifference.

Let's hope that the Oxford-Bicester-Marylebone plan has more success, but I am not optimistic.

The Government strategy on transport concerns itself only with taxing and charging.

Private companies, whose charges from Network Rail and the Government keep going up, are inevitably raising prices, reducing cost-heavy services, and taking out seats (South West Trains) to allow more standing.

Where are health and safety? Costs to hire additional coaching stock are so high that short-term franchisees will not invest in more carriages. So no lengthening of trains which would be the commonsense solution.

Bizarre pricing structures confuse and deter potential travellers. Coach operators are delighted to put on even more buses.

Having supplied, built and run railways around the world, we are now importing most of our equipment and showing the world how not to run a railway.

The patients are really running the asylum.

James Higman, Sandfield Road, Headington, Oxford