Gatwick Express Gone?
 

The ultra-convenient Gatwick Express rail service is apparently going to be axed. That means passengers going from Gatwick to central London (Victoria station) will have to get on a local train that stops at the Gatwick Station and makes at least one stop before reaching Victoria.

The local train will only stop for just over a minute at Gatwick (imagine trying to get your suitcases onboard) AND Gatwick passengers must compete for space with London rail commuters during rush hours...bummer.

(This was noted by another poster in:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

but it seemed important enough to travelers to post again, separately.

Dave White
[email protected]

that's insane! when and why?

Ok, you got me?

First, the link you provided goes to a thread about the Batman thing at the Palace.

Second, do you have any links to an article or something to back-up this claim?

I read the previous thread when it was posted originally, and the responses was that it was being merged in with other trains currently servicing Gatwick. I'll top it if I can find it.

Here it is...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

Darn, that didn't work...

AAFlier...

err...sorry about the Batman thing...the posting was here somewhere! But here are links to news sources on the subject of the proposed demise of the Gatwick Express:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/st...302008,00.html

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3478377

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/traffi...ing%20Standard

I just topped it. It's called "Gatwick Express Finishing"

Why? From what I read some place it was felt the Gatwick Express crowded the tracks so that service was inadequate for local train riders heading for London from stations farther down the line who were being forced to stand in crowded trains and that because of the Gatwick Express it was not possible to increase service.

Its removal is being proposed by the Strategic Rail Authority (it's nowhere near "gone" as this title seems to think), because it's downright insane that these empty trains should take up track space that's not then available for London's commuters.

There's no serious option of increasing capacity any other way.

And frankly, visitors, most of you don't get a vote in any of this. If you ARE one of the 40% of the planet eligible to vote in UK elections, don't waste energy moaning here. Get yourself on the electoral register and lobby.

But you'll get a spectacularly unsympathetic reception.

What the SRA published is a consultation document, which anyone who cares can access at www.sra.gov.uk. Comments will be accepted on the proposal until December 3. So you don't have to register to vote, you can simply download, read the 72 page document, and provide your views.

As well as the option being recommended, it also discusses ways of maintaining the Gatwick Express as a premium service (run it on slower lines, use different platforms, run longer trains less frequently, etc.

Accuracy in "news reporting" is always appreciated. Thanks, ron!

Perhaps the bigest impact on folks arriving by plane at Gatwick, is that on the local, they must buy tickets BEFORE getting on the train.

Keith

how much is Gatwick used, vis a vis Heathrow? number of passengers, etc.

I always use a reliable Mini Cab service from London to Gatwick Airport, and its more comfortable in a car, and cheaper than the express train.

I used the local train last month instead of the express. It was cheaper, for one thing, and I didn't feel particularly inconvenienced.

Tropo, what is your minicab cost? Presumably you are traveling with more than one person.

<b>tropo</b>,

Since this is a travel forum, and one of the main objectives here is to share any savings related to travel, will you please tell us the name of the mini-cab company that will get you from London to Gatwick for less than 12BP?

I'm sure that they would be swamped with calls afer your reply.

Thanks in advance!

FlannerUK,

Your comment about us non-commuters not getting a vote, that's true...but this message board is largely used by visitors/tourists who, although they can't vote in UK elections, do vote on whether to visit London and contribute millions of &pound;s to the local economy.

With all due respect (this is not an attempt to start a &quot;posting snit&quot; with you)

I think the Gatwick express is more than 12 pounds, the Heathrow Express is 12 pounds.

I believe what tropo was referring to, was after your ride into town, you still need to hire a cab. in some cases, you may as well hire a car at the airport. londontown.com had some very good rates - we are going 20 pounds per person direct from Heathrow to our hotel.