'Mind the closing doors': UK railway battle has echoes of Thatcher

London

PUBLIC relations consultant Rona Jeff loved her job for a charity in central London, but quit it because her train commute was unbearable.

Her trip into London from Brighton should take just over an hour, but was regularly taking 41/2 because of cancellations, slow-downs and strikes. She rarely saw her husband, gave up a photography class, repeatedly cancelled plans with friends and missed a theatre performance after saving up for tickets. The stress was wrecking her sleep.