Wednesday, January 18, 2006
BAA gets deal to save Gatwick Express
BAA yesterday announced that it had secured a deal to save the Gatwick Express, airport to London rail service. In partnership with National Express Group the operators of the rail franchise for the route, BAA had submitted proposals to the Strategic Rail Authority which is asessing the Utilisation of the London to Brighton rail route of which the Gatwick to London route is a part.
A compromise was proposed where rail and air passengers share the trains while keeping the express elements of the service alive. The Gatwick Express service has regularly been voted the UK's favourite train service.
Paul Griffiths, Managing Director of Gatwick Airport said: “We believe our joint proposal shows that the differing needs of the commuter and the air traveller can be reconciled. The existence of this compromise plan should enable the Department for Transport to reach a speedy conclusion to the Route Utilisation Strategy, and give air passengers, commuters and airlines confidence in the future of the rail services in which they all rely.”
A compromise was proposed where rail and air passengers share the trains while keeping the express elements of the service alive. The Gatwick Express service has regularly been voted the UK's favourite train service.
Paul Griffiths, Managing Director of Gatwick Airport said: “We believe our joint proposal shows that the differing needs of the commuter and the air traveller can be reconciled. The existence of this compromise plan should enable the Department for Transport to reach a speedy conclusion to the Route Utilisation Strategy, and give air passengers, commuters and airlines confidence in the future of the rail services in which they all rely.”
