Comment by NikkiA
1 year ago
Passenger numbers were generally CLIMBING in the 80s, Intercity was massively popular and successful, which was the reason for sectorization - let the bits that should be funding the system as a whole succeed, and let the bits that need subsidies fail.
Sectorization was, of course, the prelude to privatization.
Here is evidence that you are mistaken: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GBR_rail_passengers_...
This is only a Wikimedia page, so if you have better evidence that contradicts it, feel free to present it. But note that it cites trustworthy sources.