The Anonymous Widower

A Tricky Problem For Thameslink

I said in this post, that Thameslink will make it possible a lot of journeys across London with just a single change.

Looking at the provision timetable for Thameslink, there are some terminals at either end of the line, which are not connected to others at the opposite side of London. For instance Tattenham Corner only links to Cambridge and Maidstone East only links to Luton.

So say if you wanted to go from Tattenham Corner to Luton, you’d need to get off a train in the core section and then get on one to your required destination. It will mean two easy steps across a level gap, as the new trains will obviously align to the platforms.

If you look at St. Pancras Thameslink station, the platforms are long and bleak with few seats and no outlets of any sort. But upstairs there is St. Pancras International station, which is almost a shopping and refreshment venue, where trains happen to arrive and depart.

So will ticketing allow a traveller from say the South Coast to Peterborough, to break their journey at St. Pancras and perhaps have lunch, a meeting or get their supper for the evening?

Electronic ticketing will be the key in some ways, as obviously this will be possible using something like Oyster as it is now from Wimbledon to say Cricklewood with a break at St. Pancras on the current Thameslink.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to use Oyster or a contactless bank card as a ticket on buses, trains and trams all over the UK!

June 9, 2014 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Thameslink, Ticketing