Our rail network is stuck in the last century

SIR – To see how a railway service fit for the 21st century should be run, Robert Nisbet of the Rail Delivery Group (“Rail boss: our trains are the envy of Europe”, report, July 31) could do worse than spend a week travelling on the Moroccan system.

Stations are modern, clean and airy; the trains comfortable and fast, with seats for everyone. Service, punctuality and staff helpfulness are second to none. Our rail network looks distinctly Third World by comparison. Steve Haynes

Runcton, West Sussex

SIR – I recently travelled by train from Berne to Geneva Airport, a journey of about two hours.

After approximately an hour and a half, there came an announcement in French, German and English. The Swiss Federal Railways offered their apologies for a delay. The train was arriving a minute late at the next stop, Lausanne. However, all connecting trains were guaranteed.

Thinking of it now, I realise that this announcement took longer than the delay for which it apologised. Dr Jacob Buis

Betws-y-coed, Caernarfonshire

SIR – While I am sure many readers will debate the Rail Delivery Group’s suggestion that “our trains are envy of Europe”, our railways do indeed have an enviable safety record compared to those of Europe and much of the world. Charles Allen

Wrexham