The problem with this is that it means that commuters have to pay the full cost of any new/additional trains (since these aren't getting used at other times) - something that they don't always appreciate.
Exactly. And once every train is maximum length and there's not a single path free (and the network has so much dual redundancy that it can virtually guarantee that nothing can cause a delay that messes it all up) then that's your lot without another astronomical amount of investment needed.
And still for the rest of the day, trains will be going around carrying fresh air.
Well good luck in getting employers to change the working day. I know some do offer forms of flexible working but the difficulty the communter faces is that his boss expects him in the office between the hours of 0830 and 1700
I know. That's the real problem. The problem that, if it could be addressed in some way, could relieve the pressure on the railways (and the road network) far more effectively than just building out of the problem. Is it okay that some employers are stuck in their ways and can't see a way to improve things for the employee (in that a less tired/stressed employee getting in a bit later might be considerably more productive?).
In my last job, I was the Editor of a magazine that went to press every four weeks. I also ran the website, forum, social media - pretty much all on my own.
For a lot of the time (bar press week for the print magazine) I could have happily worked from home, or coming in for less hours and when needing to go to events. I'd probably still have come in to London almost ever day, but often at off-peak times (despite having my annual ticket). It would still be more convenient for me.
My employer trusted me to carry on from home (I essentially did the whole mag on my own, managing a few freelancers, so if I didn't work then nothing happened) but they didn't trust other staff and said if they let me work from home, they'd have to let them work from home.
Despite me saying they could tell the others to sod off and negotiate their own arrangements, it never happened. Eventually I quit (not because of the commuting but other reasons relating to how much extra work I was expected to do and a new MD that I couldn't work with because he was basically in to strip the company of every asset for his own gain). Now I work from home for my new employer, and travel in to London or wherever as and when I need to.
To be fair, to many employers, people I've known over the years would sit at home and do bugger all most of the day. Which is why I can see that the idea of home working is not likely to be commonplace. However, everyone who works for the company I am at now is fine - and we all communicate regularly via Skype, and meet up for company events to see each other face to face. It's not for everyone, but it should certainly work for more people than do it at the moment.
Staggered working hours, with a set 'core' might be a more practical solution or extending flexible working hours, not getting rid of them. It's then up to the commuter to pick the best travel times.
In my work, I rarely try and contact people very early in the day or later in the afternoon (unless it's important) and most of my communication is by email so the person I am trying to reach can be anywhere they want. I am sure there are many other people in offices in similar circumstances, and I can even work on the train with my mobile data connection giving access to all my work files stored in the cloud.
In fact, everything I write is backed up in the cloud. Every photo and video I take is backed up. I can access my contacts, calendar, email in the cloud and so on. Every spreadsheet, document - in the cloud. Most businesses could do this, but are either reluctant to do so, or don't fully understand how to do it.
I wonder how many of the new start ups in and around tech city will structure their businesses. I wonder about lot of new companies in the future?
Maybe one day this problem will be solved, instead of having 8-track lines running 24 carriage triple deck trains into London in the morning peak!!
I know not every job/profession can go for flexible working, home working etc.. and not every business could relocate out of London (does everything need to be in town?) but it's the ones that can that should.
