Then we will have to agree to disagree.
People want simpler rail fares. There is always going to be complexity associated with a network the size of Britain’s but introducing fares like this, on a route where there are eight trains an hour (more at other times), operated by two trains an hour companies, when the ticket is for a booked train only (albeit with some flex) but only valid in the operator running 2 out of the eight services each hour is adding unnecessary complexity.
People travelling to or from an airport just want to turn up and go. Just look at the threads we get about Stansted Airport - they’re crying out for the simplicity of contactless.
Completely agree. Complex fares, outside of the pay as you go system run by the city the name of which they use mixed with over the top and inflexible gate staff and users who make very reasonable errors because it is not a regular flow for them makes for an extremely stressful and unwelcoming environment, unnecessarily so.
Another issue on the Luton is that the Dart is un-gated at the Airport end, gated at Parkway, beautifully entrapping people into arriving at the gate without a ticket. Many very reasonably think it is just an airport people mover not a commercial train service.
Then you have the lack of clarity on being able get a through ticket including the Dart.
It all just feels like Ryanair on rails.
