Railtrack's estimated time of demise is 7 o'clock on Thursday morning - just as thousands of beleaguered rail commuters will be fighting their way into work.

The job of sorting out the railways will then fall to its replacement, the not-for-profit Network Rail.

Railtrack... on its deathbed

It's a mammoth job. But Network Rail and the train companies could do a lot now to make life better for Britain's rail users. Small things could make a big difference, says Jon Yuill, the Rail Commuters' Champion chosen by BBC News Online users.

Here, Jon sets out 10 simple ideas to make life more bearable for fellow commuters.

1. Better communication

It's impossible to overstate the need for good communication in times of trouble. You can be on a train, delayed for half-an-hour and no one tells you a thing. Tell us why we are stuck, what's being done to fix the situation, how long the delay is likely to be. Use the PA system or install scrolling text screens. It's the same when you're waiting at the station. Just tell us what's going on.

2. Common-sense staff

I know platform staff have a hard time and they don't see us commuters at our best - half asleep and rushing to work or back home again.

	Jon Yuill's update E-mails: Scores of BBC News Online users e-mailed Jon after he was appointed our Rail Commuter Champion Touched: "I'm genuinely touched and heartened by the wonderful response from fellow commuters and BBC News Online users to my new role. Small changes: "It seems I'm not alone in believing small changes could make a big difference. Massive job: "Reviving our railways is a massive job, but simple things, done quickly, could make life a lot more bearable."

We do appreciate them, but they must be encouraged to use their common sense and take the initiative. So, for example, when a train is half-an-hour late and everyone's irritated, just open the ticket barriers and let us out of the station as soon as possible.

3. Get integrated

Imagine how good it would be if you could get off the train and cycle to work, or home. But on my line, you can't bring bikes on board during rush hour. I know that means more space for passengers but you used to be able to put your bike in the guards' carriage. If that's not possible, how about decent bike parks at stations. They would be well lit and secure so you know your bike would be there at the end of the day. It's not just bikes - bus times also need to be integrated with trains.

4. Quiet carriages

Some trains have these already - carriages where mobiles are banned. I don't want to listen to someone else's personal conversations, and nor does anyone else on the train. There should also be a fast-food-free carriage. The smell is awful and just creates more litter.

5. On-board CCTV

Violence and loutish, yobbish behaviour is often overlooked as a commuter gripe, but it's real enough and common enough to be a problem. One of the reasons people avoid public transport is the safety threat. Although serious incidents are rare, we have to make sure people can travel without fear of intimidation.

6. Air-conditioning

Station staff must use their loaf to clear platforms fast

In this day and age, surely it can't be beyond the wit of rail companies to see that we can all travel comfortably. I was told by a rail company once that each carriage has its own thermostat, but you wouldn't know it. It's simple - we need temperature control systems that work.

7. Litter bins

The litter bins were withdrawn because of the terrorism threat, but now there's nowhere to put your rubbish. So it goes on the floor. Like the bigger trains, couldn't someone come along with a rubbish bag and collect paper coffee cups. As for old newspapers - what about big cages at the end of platforms where people could just throw their old papers as they got off. These could then be recycled.

8. Rapid-response fix-it teams

Send in the Whirlybirds

My idea is to air-lift emergency engineering teams by helicopter. Perhaps it's far-fetched but the point is when something goes wrong and we're stuck on a train, we have to wait for a beat-up old Transit van to arrive and then the engineers are on foot. Meanwhile, we are all waiting. Think how many millions of pounds this costs in lost working hours and it doesn't sound so crazy after all.

9. Give passengers preference...

...not freight trains. Many times my train is shunted aside so a goods train can get ahead. But what are they doing on the rails at rush-hour times anyway?

10. These problems are countrywide