Although disgusted by the story about a Northern Rail guard who ignored a disabled passenger’s pleas for help to get a train, I was not at all surprised by it.
From my extensive experience of using the railways (at least twice a week to various locations) I can say that rather than witnessing an improvement in the levels of service given to passengers on our railways I have to say that things are getting worse.
Given the current economic situation, the is absolutely no excuse for rail companies to employ surly, rude and unhelpful staff when there are literally thousands of pleasant and upstanding people just waiting to be given the chance of a rail job.