Doubling back at Gatwick off the Express from Victoria

[Mike395]

Resurrecting this because, GTR have changed their minds again!

From March 5th the via Gatwick Express fares are changing. Redhill will no longer be included so you'll be charged the normal fare even if you double back via Gatwick Express. But, if you do the same for Earslwood, Salfords or Horley you will still be charged the Gatwick Express fare, AND IT WILL NO LONGER BE INCLUDED IN CAPS.

I'm double checking this with my contact at TfL, but that is the picture being painted by the updated single fare finder.

That seems....counterintuitive. Surely it's much more likely someone is going to double back to Horley using GX than Redhill?

 

[MikeWh]

That seems....counterintuitive. Surely it's much more likely someone is going to double back to Horley using GX than Redhill?

Well, yes. It looks like they've decided Redhill isn't worth it, possibly due to refund requests when Reigate trains leave from the wrong platform.

But, for the other 3, you were restricted by the daily cap which meant you'd be unlikely to be charged 2 full GatEx fares if you also used the tube in London. Now you will be.

 

[redreni]

I understand the powerful incentive to rinse every last penny from airport express services. Indeed, the contract to run the Southern franchise was awarded on the basis that GX would be a premium service attracting premium fares, so they have to try and run it like that.

The fact people have a general sense they'll be ripped off if they take public transport to the airport, however, and that it will be a pain to work out how to avoid that, surely contributes to the enormous traffic congestion around airports? And it says to visitors "Welcome to Britain. Get used to being ripped off." Particularly when, as with GX, they've done little more than paint some of the trains a different colour to justify the enormous fare premium, which becomes apparent when you travel. Most European airports don't do this.

Getting rid of the premium rather than finding sneaky ways to increase it would certainly make things a great deal more straightforward for regular, non-airport travellers too!

 

[akm]

But, for the other 3, you were restricted by the daily cap which meant you'd be unlikely to be charged 2 full GatEx fares if you also used the tube in London. Now you will be.

The TfL single fare finder, for Victoria NR to Earlswood (one of the 'other 3'), says "Journeys on these services are not included in caps and Travelcards" for 2022 and 2023 fares, for the 'Alternative Gatwick Express' fares, so I'm not sure why you say there's a change coming.

 

[MikeWh]

The TfL single fare finder, for Victoria NR to Earlswood (one of the 'other 3'), says "Journeys on these services are not included in caps and Travelcards" for 2022 and 2023 fares, for the 'Alternative Gatwick Express' fares, so I'm not sure why you say there's a change coming.

View attachment 129395

View attachment 129396

TfL has made an error in providing the new fares. The new route descriptions are appearing in the current fares. You'll have to trust me on this one, I have the flows that each description applied to, and the not included in caps was only for Gatwick itself.

 

[WizCastro197]

There are peak services from Victoria to Littlehampton which now stop at Horley. I am fairly certain that there will be a decline in the amount of doubling back occurrences. Did this (peak stopping) happen in the December change?

 

[Alex365Dash]

Did this (peak stopping) happen in the December change?

A quick peek at RTT shows that this has been the case since the December timetable change.

 

[aavm]

Gatwick to London Victoria by contactless is
£9 (off peak),
£16.50 (peak, 6.30 to 9.30 M-F),
£20.60 (Gatwick Express)

That's so wrong. The regular trains are as frequent and almost as fast. Not a good way to treat visitors to this country.

 

[JonathanH]

That's so wrong. The regular trains are as frequent and almost as fast.

I expect that is what tourism guide books say. People have a choice whether to take Gatwick Express or not.

 

[ThameslinkUser]

It's an utterly moronic position. Absolutely destroys the capacity of less-frequent coastway services.

 

[WizCastro197]

It's an utterly moronic position. Absolutely destroys the capacity of less-frequent coastway services.

I presume you mean the Horley stopping son Littlehampton services in the peak?

 

[miklcct]

It's an utterly moronic position. Absolutely destroys the capacity of less-frequent coastway services.

Sorry but what do you mean?

 

[ThameslinkUser]

Probably not the thread for such a comment. I was referring to the continued position of premium GX fares pushing people onto slower, less-capacious services.