Train services through the night

[Greenback]

That might be the case. It would very much depend on DafT want to put in the franchise. It also very much depends on whether anyone then bids to run the franchise.

To use an extreme example, if the GW franchise included the requirment to run trains to Cardiff via Bristol at 2300, 0100 and 0300, and trains to Plymouth at midnight and 0200, then it's likely that the terms will have to reflect that these services will make a loss. Eithe rthe subsidy paid to the operator will be higher as a result, or the payments made to the government will be lower. Either way, it will cost government and taxpayers more to run the through the night trains.

It would be an intereting debate whether precious resources should be used to run all night services on main lines, or provide extra capacity in the North West, or subsidise extra trains to places like Whitby!

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

National express coaches have a fleet of overnight bus services connceting towns and cities overnight all over the country at a reasonable price.

As mentioned earlier the reluctancy to keep stations open all night and sheer cost of running the services makes the liklehood of regular overnight rail services all over the country extremely unlikely.

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Personally, the only thing I can see being worthwhile overnight is long-distance services, or those on busy commuter routes.

For example, an Inverness - London (ECML) calling at main stations only, and perhaps a WCML service every two hours Glasgow Central - London calling at main stations.

 

[Greenback]

If there is only enough demand for on daytime train to and from Inverness, I can't see any justification for more overnight services.

Similarly, I can't see any night trains to Glasgow being profitable, there would be more chance of commercially viable services running to Birmingham and Manchester.