"That train is owned by a bank, leased to a private company, which has a franchise from the Department for Transport to run it on this track owned by Network Rail, all regulated by another office – it's complex," ruminates Anthony Smith, chief executive of watchdog Transport Focus.
"We've been saying for a very, very long time that we need a wholesale set of changes to rail fares and the way the rail sector is regulated".
"These projects will inevitably cause some disruption while they are carried out, which is why we have capped regulated rail fares at RPI + 0% for this parliament and why we are working hard with Network Rail and train operators to ensure that any inconvenience is minimised.
In January, regulated rail fares in England increased by 2.2%.
That means regulated rail fares for January will now go up by 3.1% on average, not 4.1%.
The Conservatives, meanwhile, have said they will ensure regulated rail fares rise by no more than inflation until 2020.
The Tories' policy only targets "regulated" rail fares - these include season tickets, some off-peak returns as well as anytime tickets in major cities.
Under the government's formula, regulated rail fares in England and Wales rise by July's RPI measure of inflation, plus 1%.
The policy only targets regulated rail fares, which include season tickets and some off-peak returns as well as anytime tickets in major cities.
Transport for London (TFL) fares and regulated rail fares elsewhere in the UK will be allowed to rise next year by no more than inflation - as measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI) - plus 1%.
The transfer stations, alongside railroad tracks, have been able to ignore local environmental and zoning concerns because of a federal law that bars towns and states from regulating rail facilities.
