Before leaving France I often travelled by train and felt exactly the same way: a total ripoff for the service they offer...In Spain you'll also get trains that arrive late but they're usually cleaner and the price is much more affordable, and they don't go on strike as often as in strike land.
I've read about that, and it definitely seems like a shit show. It's about time these things change. Since I got here I mostly travel by train and I know that it's a privilege, it should be the norm in these developed countries. Anyway, hang in there and good luck.
