Rail embarrassment

It is extraordinary that one of our capital city’s main airports could not be easily accessed by rail from central London at the weekend. Passengers travelling on Southern Rail to Gatwick and Brighton were left stranded by a combination of engineering works, hot weather and inadequate replacement bus services. Thousands tempted by the sun to head for the south coast faced long journeys caused by the closure of part of the track south of the airport. Travellers on their way to Gatwick risked missing their flights as trains became overcrowded and others were cancelled because the rail operators had not anticipated such demand.

Track replacement and renewal is essential and there is no easy time to do it. During the week the same line is used by commuters, so holidaymakers are seen as an easier target. But foreign tourists trying to get to Gatwick Airport must find the poor transport links bewildering and infuriating, especially if they miss their connections. At one point on Sunday, Southern Rail issued a notice advising passengers not to travel, though some will have had no option.

These failures are all too common, and not just on Southern. They serve to undermine public confidence in the privatised rail network and play into Labour’s agenda to take it back into public ownership. Another area of concern to passengers is the complex web of different fares, and at least here the rail companies are proposing “root and branch” reforms of regulations which they consider outdated and cumbersome.

Provided this is not a cover for putting up fares, passengers will welcome clarity and simplicity in the system. Few people really know whether the ticket they have bought is the cheapest or represents value for money. But travellers want one thing above all – to know that the train will actually get them to where they want to go. The operators need to sort that out.