Again, this seems like a bit of a viewpoint that is based on the evidence of its own existence alone. Every industrial nation on earth was built on inequality, corruption and slavery but it is untrue to assert that they still value those ways today. Similarity with companies.
Furthermore, it is naive to assume that TOCs are exclusive in a desire to operate at the lowest cost while seeking the highest return- this is not indicative of some sort of evil intent, but the cornerstone of the concept of capitalism and the reason why none of us are dead at twenty five from living in abject poverty. Believe it or not, but even when good old completely perfect, always modern, always clean, always on time, never crashing, never running on a staff of entirely alcoholics British Rail even worked to this basic principle.
Yes, a lot of investment in the rail operations come out of franchise requirements. This does not negate the fact that they DO them. Again, the fact that they signed up and agreed to them at the start goes to show that they are, at the corporate level, NOT being dragged kicking and screaming to the bank, that they are in fact completely willing to concede. The investment in people such as training and development is not mandated, and yet millions continue to be sunk into it without any coercion (again, on the RAIL side).
The tone of your post seems to suggest that your dissatisfaction comes from the way one of these companies runs the bus operation. Going back to my original point, you cannot use the barometer of one basically separate company to measure the merits of what is for all intents and purposes, an entirely separate company. It may be very well true that the bus staff are treated poorly, and services badly managed. But that is no sign of the weight or support that is thrown behind other areas or the business.
