O Clavis David

As Railway Eye counts down towards Christmas The Fact Compiler welcome appropriate seasonal contributions.

First out of the advent calendar is this from Sim Harris (with thanks)

On the first day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
A cup of railway tea

On the second day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the third day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the fourth day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Four White Papers
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the fifth day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Five sacked staff!
Four White Papers
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the sixth day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Six Treasury cutbacks
Five sacked staff!
Four White Papers
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the seventh day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Seven reassessments
Six Treasury cutbacks
Five sacked staff!
Four White Papers
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the eighth day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Eight cloned smartcards
Seven reassessments
Six Treasury cutbacks
Five sacked staff!
Four White Papers
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the ninth day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Nine franchise payments
Eight cloned smartcards
Seven reassessments
Six Treasury cutbacks
Five sacked staff!
Four White Papers
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the tenth day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Ten increased fares
Nine franchise payments
Eight cloned smartcards
Seven reassessments
Six Treasury cutbacks
Five sacked staff!
Four White Papers
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Eleven DafT spokesmen
Ten increased fares
Nine franchise payments
Eight cloned smartcards
Seven reassessments
Six Treasury cutbacks
Five sacked staff!
Four White Papers
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
Adonis sent to me
Twelve cancelled trains
Eleven DafT spokesmen
Ten increased fares
Nine franchise payments
Eight cloned smartcards
Seven reassessments
Six Treasury cutbacks
Five sacked staff!
Four White Papers
Three frozen points
Two expired tickets
And a cup of railway tea!

Additional contributions welcome at the usual address...

Police 5 Citizens 0

This just in from Sim Harris...

"Once again, DafT (like the rest of Government) is assuming limitless power.

From yesterday's DfT press release:
"The new penalties are being introduced as the Government extends its Penalty Notice for Disorder Scheme."

Minister: as Parliament must give its consent (and hasn't yet) don't you mean:
The new penalties are being proposed as the Government wishes to extend its Penalty Notice for Disorder Scheme?

It's called democratic process. Remember that?