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All I know is that there has been issues in the Reigate area particularly - some of this may be unrelated to Gatwick, but Reigate is definitely somewhere where NDL improvements could help with airport access. The potential for growth is partially limited by the rolling stock though. The 769s...

I agree a curve at Redhill would be more complex, but with the NDL there's a lot of potential for passenger growth that could benefit Gatwick by reducing congestion in the local area (especially as the local road network west of Gatwick is mostly poor quality single carriageways outside of the...

Indeed. I wonder if making the old parcels platform platform 1 and using current platform 1 as platform 2 would be a good idea - there's still access to it from the subway, and, as you say, replacing the footbridge is needed anyway.

Maybe a GatEx takeover of the North Downs Line (NDL) from GWR as part of expansion would be a good idea to help direct west/south of London traffic via the NDL. Gatwick itself could perhaps pay for new bi-modes, and the route doesn't really fit in GWR's portfolio anyway (although I'm aware GBR...

Is another subway replacing the awkward footbridge (with a lowered section by the ticket office after the gates to connect to it) possible if you widen the pavement on Butler St and build a ramp with remotely operated ticket gates starting there? You'd have to widen P1/2 to accept it as well...

Precisely - so sod you if you have to rely on Preston Bus, but they act if there's competition. Reminds me of Arriva the Shires in Bucks, sadly missed (not). I don't expect Longridge to get the £4.20 returns, unless they're really serious about taking on Stagecoach (a terrible decision). Yes...

Definitely, and their fares are higher, so there's no chance of induced demand unless they drop back to £3 and fight harder for customers

Fair point - I forgot about the Lea valley being such a nightmare. I was more thinking of a Stratford International to Bow link, but I did think there was platform capacity at Liverpool St after the Elizabeth Line removed the GEML inner suburban services from it. Maybe Greater Anglia service...

Diverting to another central London terminus might not be completely unpopular though. I wonder if Liverpool St would be possible with a connection towards the GEML west of Stratford International? The Tube and international connections aren't quite as good (although you can alleviate the latter...

As much as I understand that typical theft prevention tips work in a town with a proactive police force, Reading is absolutely notorious for bike theft and general petty crime. Have a look at the crime stats for Abbey and Thames wards (central Reading), and you'll be shocked about how bad it is.

Fair enough

Interesting. A lot of compulsory purchase in wealthy parts of Dublin and Fingal then?

Perhaps this involves a tunnel from near Fairview depot to north of Malahide?

Wouldn't a highish toll (but still less than Wightlink/Red Funnel) deter too much induced demand?

Yep, the Skem contracts are a peculiarity. I suspect the 319 especially has generous enough subsidy provisions to make it work for them financially, but it doesn't mean that it's entirely fair for them to claim they're struggling. It's all about profit.

As much as this is a rail forum, resurrecting the tram scheme Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth-Waterlooville makes sense *as well as* a road toll dual carriageway tunnel from the M27 in the Whiteley area to the Racecourse roundabout on the Isle of Wight. Rail isn't viable on its own (and the...

The £5 was a reduction as a response to Stagecoach competition gutting passenger numbers on the routes that they have extended over. First, Preston Bus extended their 23 over part of the Stagecoach 125 route, as far as Bamber Bridge. Stagecoach then extended their 111 over part of the 23 and 35...

Exactly, that's why firms that don't opt into the cap like Preston Bus are putting themselves out of business. Even with it being £3, Preston Bus left that scheme and charge £3.50 for their predominantly urban short distance routes passing through areas of quite high population density. That...

Ah OK. Yeah I would keep an eye on the security wait time and decide on the way then perhaps. The only thing is that it's more expensive to use Fast Track upfront, compared to booking in advance.

I agree, with the caveat that the OP should consider booking fast track security at MAN in advance, especially if connecting in from public transport. It's just for peace of mind on a long haul itinerary with connections.