The Anonymous Widower

Good News For Southern Rail Users

In the December 2017 Edition of Modern Railways, there is an article entitled Thameslink Improvements – Coming In Stages.

The sarticle details how the Thameslink services will be introduced and finishes with a section entitled Southern Too, which gives a summary of complimentary changes on Southern.

Chris Gibb told Modern Railways this in an apparently chipper mood.

Whilst the Thameslink changes have caught the spotlight, changes on Southern in May 2018 are of an equally momentous nature. Next year will see the biggest change to the Southern timetable since privatisation, with operations simplified on the Metro network by minimising frequency changes and avoiding conflicts at flat junctions.

The idea is that longer, fixed formation trains will work on the same route all day with the same frequency at peak and off peak.

It certainly would cut out some of the long waits I’ve had on Southern.

I very much believe that in a station that serves say 50,000 residents, that to wait more than thirty minutes is a good reason to not go back again.

Will we see a frequency of four trains per hour, as favoured by Merseyrail and the London Overground?

The article also says that most of Chris Gibbs recommendations for Southern have been accepted!

So should we expect more changes?

• Ashford-Hastings to new Southeastern franchise
• Cambridge depot for Thameslink
• East Croydon to Milton Keynes to London Overground
• Gatwick Airport Station To Gatwick Airport
• Hoo Junction Depot
• Innovative electrification on the Uckfield Line
• Moorgate services to the Overground
• More station shelters
• Some little-used stations have too many services
• Too many off peak services

The Moorgate services have already been turned down, but that line generally needs a kick-up-the-backside and at least a good clean.

November 23, 2017 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Southern