Letters | 7 March 2009

Don’t go Dutch

Sir: The Dutch postal service was privatised, you say, ‘with no perceived damage to the services they offer’ (Leading article, 28 February). You would not say that if you lived here. Firstly, deliveries: there is one a day, which arrives at absolutely random times but is usually around 3 p.m. — even here in the centre of the capital. Nobody seems to ever receive any post at all on Mondays. Most weeks I receive items clearly addressed to somebody else. Secondly, prices: we pay 39p, and that’s only up to 20g (Royal Mail: 36p up to 100g). Put more than two pages into your envelope and it will cost you double. There is no second-class option. Thirdly, the recent British furore over surcharging large letters made us chuckle too, since they have been doing that to us here for years.

And as for post office closures, TNT Post recently announced plans to close every post office in the entire country. Yes: every single one.

The privatised Dutch postal service clearly shows what not to do. Look and learn.

David Jones
Amsterdam, Netherlands

On the wrong track

Sir: Ross Clark’s article ‘Big bonuses in the public sector’ (21 February) contained several inaccuracies.

Firstly, Railtrack ceased to exist over six years ago. Network Rail has been the sole owner and manager of Britain’s railway network and infrastructure since 3 October 2002.

Secondly, Network Rail is not in the public sector but a private company, limited by guarantee. We do not have shareholders; instead we are accountable to members, who have no economic interest in the company. Network Rail is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, or more accurately, a ‘not-for-dividend’ company which means that all profits generated by the company are invested back into the railways in order to deliver a safe, reliable and efficient railway for Britain.