The article questions the UK Government's plans to privatise British Rail, noting a lack of consensus on the best approach. Privatisation may not attract private investors, and the current transport market favors roads over rail. Privatisation could hinder infrastructure investment and may not improve passenger experiences. While competition and smaller units could benefit passengers, true competition on the same tracks is rare. Rail's social role and environmental concerns suggest it should remain a public sector activity, with potential for privatisation in rail freight.