Somewhat inevitably, some four decades after nationalisation, British rail was no more. Privatised in 1993, the huge national network began to break apart, sharing its debt into multiple operations that were acquired by stock companies and private rail franchises. The claimed benefits including a reduced cost to the taxpayer, lower fares, improved customer service, and more investment. Despite claims that it could re-enter the public sector following regrowth, the process has never been reversed wholesale by any later government, and the system remains largely unaltered.