Originally posted by buns4vs
I suspect it will be some way off - the next timetable change is not scheduled until May and I suspect there will be some bargaining along the way to retain a limited direct airport service.
I guess it could be even longer than that, as NEG have a 15 year franchise to operate the GEx. They would probably be looking for some sort of compensation if the franchise is terminated early, yet (unlike Connex for example) they haven't done anything wrong.
I too use the line and the prospect of passengers travelling to the airport with lots of luggage amongst masses of commuters concerns me.
Have you ever used the train from Schiphol into Amsterdam CS?
It's basically the regular NS railway service, which is actually pretty good, with 6 trains per hour into Amsterdam CS, and there's about 4 trains an hour go via the South side of the city (Amsterdam Zuid and RAI). There's also great links to the rest of the Netherlands - and though I've never tried it, apparently it's possible to get from Schiphol to almost everywhere in the Netherlands with only one change, at least once per hour during the day.
However, the trains used are definitely not suited to air travellers, or anyone with significant amounts of luggage. They are double-decked suburban-style (so you have to go up or down stairs to reach the passenger saloons), and have little or no space for baggage.
You frequently end up standing in a doorway/lobby area by the doors, especially if the train is full.
While I can understand the motivation to make better use of the paths currently used by the GEx during the peaks, it needs to be done properly.
One of the issues is that with GEx running a non-stop service while everything is stopping, the GEx train will actually consume more train paths on the network. By inserting a couple of stops, it will actually consume fewer paths!
I wonder if GEx could oppease the DfT by inserting stops at East Croydon and Clapham Junction in the peaks, and appropriate redjustment of ticketing rules?
If the DfT are hell-bent on replacing the GEx with a regular train service, the trains used need to be air traveller friendly (so plenty of luggage space, etc.), and present a good image of the country to arriving pax - clean, well maintained, on time, no graffiti.
Cheers,
Mike
