[masfuerte]

That's a statutory obligation. It works for the consumer because it's not the rail company that gets to choose the terms.

[tialaramex]

The terms of the contract are required by central government, but it is still a contract.

One of the things your government could and should do for you is stand up to this sort of bullying by those who have more money and power.

[seabass-labrax]

This is my feeling exactly - there's a lot wrong with predatory contracts, but the problem is with the predatory part, not the mere fact they're contracts!