• Last week Racal, operator of the Vodafone callular radio
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network, launched a new service called Creditfone. Creditfone, it would seem, is a cellular radio telephone which can be fitted in trains and coaches, and operates with credit cards, rather than cash.
Originally Racal planned to show the Creditfone in action on the Gatwick Express train operated by British Railways, before transferring all the assembled guests on to a Lon
donliner coach fitted with Creditfone, operated by London Buses and the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive.
Unfortunately, British Railways did not take kindly to the idea that the Creditfone would be seen operating on a coach, and insisted that Racal use alternative coaches to transport guests to the final presentation.
London Buses and West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive were told of this move two days before, and were not even invited to show the London Liner coach at the presentation venue.
At the presentation itself, there was minimal mention of the coach applications for Creditfone.
With such a clear commitment to free competition, it comes as little surprise to hear that BR's South-east network is to be investigated by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.