Should TFL operate surburban railways

[hdennis13]

South London has a poor rail service and few tube lines; and london overground are considering improvements on the sydenham line. Should TFL operate all suburban routes, like the Lea valley lines to provide better journeys and a more cohesive system?

Similarly, should Thameslink be operated by TFl, alike the Elizabeth line? What should it be renamed, or should it be called the Thameslink line or Elizabeth line B, like the RER?

The Paris numbering and lettering system is clear to understand and differentiates route types, but won't happen here!

 

[JonathanH]

Should TFL operate all suburban routes, like the Lea valley lines to provide better journeys and a more cohesive system?

What improvements do you think TfL would be able to provide? The timetable is somewhat compromised by the infrastructure.

Perhaps another question you could be asking is whether local journeys in South London should be prioritised over longer distance ones?

 

[SynthD]

TfL don’t want Thameslink as it goes too far from London.

The railways should go to whoever can fund improvements. The TfL or SE/GA badge is not significant.

 

[miklcct]

Absolutely. Massive improvement has been made after Elizabeth line taking over GWR services, while lines remaining with GWR have got no improvements. For example, the Sunday service at Hanwell has gone from 0 to 6 trains per hour but Greenford branch still remains 0.

What improvements do you think TfL would be able to provide? The timetable is somewhat compromised by the infrastructure.

Perhaps another question you could be asking is whether local journeys in South London should be prioritised over longer distance ones?

Absolutely. We should priortise taking cars off shorter local journeys, even to the detriment of slowing longer journeys by rail.

 

[A S Leib]

TfL don’t want Thameslink as it goes too far from London

Agreed. As the crow flies, Reading is twenty miles from the edge of Greater London. Brighton is thirty and Peterborough is sixty miles. I could see a case for St. Albans – Sutton, Luton – Rainham and whichever of the Sevenoaks or Orpington ones terminate at Blackfriars (I can't remember which) but splitting Thameslink into two operators seems as if it would cause more issues than it's worth, even in a scenario in which TfL has enough money and no other major rail projects it could plausibly be investing in.

 

[OneOfThe48]

Agreed. As the crow flies, Reading is twenty miles from the edge of Greater London. Brighton is thirty and Peterborough is sixty miles. I could see a case for St. Albans – Sutton, Luton – Rainham and whichever of the Sevenoaks or Orpington ones terminate at Blackfriars (I can't remember which) but splitting Thameslink into two operators seems as if it would cause more issues than it's worth, even in a scenario in which TfL has enough money and no other major rail projects it could plausibly be investing in.

Exactly, do TfL want to run services up to Peterborough, which is as far 'north' as Birmingham, or run a train line all the way from Bedford to Brighton?

Doubtful.