London TravelWatch has responded to the Government’s consultation on the future of the InterCity West Coast franchise with its aspirations for rail passengers using the line into, out of and through London and its surrounding area.
London TravelWatch recommend:
- Consideration should be given to allowing the ‘spare’ off-peak path to be open to ‘open access’ operators, with the proviso it opens up new journey opportunities for places without direct links to London and provides price competition.
- This path should stop at Watford Junction to provide connections to north west London, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire and stop at Wembley Central on major event days.
- The InterCity operator should provide enhanced commuter services between Milton Keynes and London, in order to reduce overcrowding on other local services.
They also believe that consideration should be given to additional electrification schemes to reduce the need for diesel trains in London, and to provide alternative routes at times of disruption.
London TravelWatch’s response also explores capacity issues, service patterns, considering more flexibility on higher-priced ‘Saver’ tickets and the proposal to move to ‘Delay Repay’ compensation scheme for passengers.
The full response can be seen here.
