Surprise on London Undeground

I was pleasantly surprised the other day at my local underground station when the lady came on the intercom and said that "Apparently all trains are running smoothly". The 'apparently' caught my attention. There was a hint of office politics and being pushed by the boss to do something she didn't really want to do. It also gave a glimpse into how disconnected the station staff are from the running of the trains - the main business of a station. From a regular commuter's point of view, it does not inspire confidence, and highlights the inefficiences. I further cast doubt on the 'investment in the undergound' posters that I see plotted around the stations. A depressing truth of monopolies.