Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Following from this thread I sent an email to Southern trains yesterday asking why there's a reduced service between 8 and 9 and if there's any plans to improve it. Here's the reply (for those who can't be bothered to read it, it says: blah, blah, blah maybe one day it'll improve)




Thank you for your web comment.


Your words regarding the fact that there are more off peak services running from East Dulwich than peak services are not lost on me. However, there are some wide-ranging planning and logistical issues to be overcome before we can arrive at a solution. You may be aware that, in September 2004, the former Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) published a Route Utilization Strategy for the Brighton Main Line (RUS) but, because train movements on Southern are so crucially inter-dependent upon one another, the RUS actually embraced the whole network.


However, although the Department for Transport (DfT) has recently endorsed some of the key recommendations made in the RUS, airline interests have been lobbying hard against them because they included scrapping the Gatwick Express, and the Secretary of State has decided to seek further views on how things should be moved forward. Moreover, the DfT has also indicated that most of the London suburban ideas need further work, particularly in view of Transport for London's proposals for development of the East London Line to include services through to Croydon and Clapham Junction. Unfortunately, all of this has huge implications for what we can, therefore, get on with and thus how quickly we can implement change and address the sorts of issues you raise. However, one thing we can say is that when the East London line service is extended to West Croydon, the service will be in addition to that which we run so there will then be some significant additional capacity.


You may find it useful to look at the DfT, Network Rail and TfL web-sites for additional background information but if I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to write to me using the link below.


Regards


David Cotterell

Southern Customer Service

Well, those are just lobbying groups - we could always form a lobby group if you wished?


We'd probably need to create a lobby website, collect names and email addresses from local commuters at rush hour, and form a community.


Local councillors tend to respond well to numbers of people.


I don't support the logic of Southern's argument. Gatwick Express goes every 15 mins between 5am and very late. There's no reason why it should have an isolated impact on morning rush hour (coming back in the evening seems to work well until after about seven.

I don't see the point in the Gatwick Express. Southern run trains to Gatwick from Victoria every 30 mins anyway. They take only two minutes longer than the GX (thanks to a stop at East Croydon) and cost 2/3 the price (approx ?9).


Losing the GX to improve suburban services would not be a great loss to air travellers. They might even save some money on their fare! Airlines should go play with themselves. Let's beat them up. And while we're there why not ask for an extension to the Bakerloo, Victoria or Jubilee lines...all running to "Lordship Lane" station!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Big recommendation for Stephen Viccary who has created a magnificent bathroom for us. Quality of work is absolutely top notch. We couldn't be happier - see pics.  Stephen is considerate and tidy meaning working from home during the work was fine (some noise - obviously, it is a demo and installation after all. He does not work on multiple jobs, does a full days work and does ALL the work himself - Tiling, plumbing, lighting (including lighting on a motion sensor under the vanity and in the shower niche - for night time visits 😉), he even changed the door architraves, sorted the badly cracked ceiling and did all the paint work. A full end to end service. Stephen's number - 07941 266 145
    • Highly recommend Dulwich Eco Gardening.  When he came to quote Saied said he’d give our garden back so we could decide what we do next.  Under two weeks of hard work from Saied and Mo and we have the garden back and can see paving I’d forgotten about. Not only did Saied remove our very overgrown greenery. Nature had taken over. He also took back to our fence line overgrown ivy, apple and pear trees and and dealt with a neighbours bamboo that had invaded our garden.  We are now going to get quotes for what we do next so those quoting will be able to see the space.  Saied has suggested someone to quote and will be coming back when he does in case he has any questions or they can work together.  I thought Saied would be a good choice and he was. Quotes from others didn’t leave me with confidence for the end result. That was never a concern with Saied.
    • Having a BBQ (fingers crossed) in 2 weeks and need a small BBQ for veggie bits and any spare benches or garden tables and chairs to borrow to add to mine. Any going? Thanks in advance...
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...