Should there be more Liverpool to Scotland services?

[Bletchleyite]

Liverpool is a very popular visitor destination, that goes without saying. What isn't known is how many more would come if trains connections were better, plus those who would leave their cars at home should they have a better rail alternative. Surely this is what we should be promoting for the future, if nothing else.

I think it would make very little difference, to be honest. Liverpool already has a wide range of direct trains from many destinations, and most of the country with only one change. And if you want to go from Glasgow with no changes, that already exists, just not every hour.

The lack of coach services says everything to me about how popular a more frequent Scotland service would be.

An improved (2tph) fast Preston service is justified, though - the City Lines should really all have 2 fast 2 slow, the post-COVID 1tph really is poor.

 

[Topological]

Introducing the half-hourly fast service from Preston seems like the obvious thing to try first (whether starting in Blackpool or otherwise)

Getting reliability will help greatly. Though, even if the additional service then hits 50% reliability there is still a working hourly fast.

For modal shift, greater connectivity means more options and is much more likely to succeed in attracting custom than an occasional direct.

 

[urbophile]

Connectivity is fine if (a) the feeder trains are reliable and punctual; (b) it's a cross-platform or same platform connection (with no or very little chance of a last-minute platform change); and (c) the long distance train has enough accommodation and luggage space for people joining en route. The lack of all or some of these is the reason why so many people are put off. If such a seamless service could be guaranteed there would be less need of through trains; conversely, if increased reliability meant more people made the journey that would be more evidence of demand for more through trains.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Connectivity is fine if (a) the feeder trains are reliable and punctual; (b) it's a cross-platform or same platform connection (with no or very little chance of a last-minute platform change); and (c) the long distance train has enough accommodation and luggage space for people joining en route. The lack of all or some of these is the reason why so many people are put off.

There isn't a major problem with capacity at Preston northbound. A lot of people get off at stations between Warrington and Preston on the Glasgows. The through London-Glasgow demand isn't anything like that to Edinburgh.

 

[Topological]

Cross-platform at Preston can be challenging, there is a habit of using 5 and 6 for London trains when 3 and 4 should be sufficient.

It is not impossible to plan for smoother connections at Preston.

However, both the London to Scotland, and Liverpool to Preston fast, would serve Wigan and there are cross-platform connections at Wigan. I think southbound I would change to the Liverpool at Wigan.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Cross-platform at Preston can be challenging, there is a habit of using 5 and 6 for London trains when 3 and 4 should be sufficient.

5/6 are generally used when the train is there for longer and blocking 3/4 would be a problem. Liverpool-Blackpool tends to use 2, though, so it doesn't really matter either way.

Preston could do with being improved significantly (though this may be challenging given the building being listed) but the connection is usable. And as you say Wigan is a bit easier in access terms.

 

[frodshamfella]

I think it would make very little difference, to be honest. Liverpool already has a wide range of direct trains from many destinations, and most of the country with only one change. And if you want to go from Glasgow with no changes, that already exists, just not every hour.

The lack of coach services says everything to me about how popular a more frequent Scotland service would be.

An improved (2tph) fast Preston service is justified, though - the City Lines should really all have 2 fast 2 slow, the post-COVID 1tph really is poor.

I know the service on the city line is awfull. I have a friend who uses Roby Station, its always getting cancelled. This is a problem for connecting passengers too, going to Wigan and or Preston. A few more direct Scottish services would certainly take this issue away, plus making more attractive to passengers to actually use rail to travel to Scotland.