Continental hits out at ‘flawed’ Gatwick Express consultation

Continental Airlines has condemned consultation into the future of the Gatwick Express high speed rail link between London and Gatwick Airport as “flawed” and called for it to be withdrawn

The Department for Transport’s Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) Consultation Document sets out various options for replacing the current Gatwick Express rail service.

But the US carrier, which operates from Gatwick, said it was “strongly opposed to any diminution in the offering of the dedicated, non-stop rail service between Gatwick Airport and Central London”.

The airline is writing to the DfT to point out flaws in the consultation document, calling for it to be withdrawn and urging a rethink of the consultation process. 

Senior UK & Ireland director Bob Schumacher said: “With London hosting the Olympics in 2012, by which time Gatwick is expected to be handling seven million more passengers each year, the last thing the Government should be contemplating is terminating the dedicated, non-stop rail service between the capital and its second-largest airport.” 

He added: “We have campaigned long and hard for a proper consultation process on proposals for the Gatwick Express, so you might expect we would be pleased that the Department for Transport (DfT) is finally doing something. 

“Unfortunately, as BAR UK has pointed out, the current consultation document is deeply flawed. There is even the admission within the document itself that it does not contain sufficient information or analysis about two of the four options put forward for consideration, and another of the options – retaining the status quo – has already effectively been ruled out by the DfT.  

“At the same time, the consultation document ignores two major planned developments that would go a long way towards alleviating the problems on the Brighton Main Line – the planned doubling of passenger capacity on the Thameslink (now First Capital Connect) service through London Bridge, and the proposed redevelopment of Gatwick Airport station.” 

Schumacher claimed the document demonstrated a lack of understanding of the different needs of commuters and airline passengers by suggesting that train and passenger types are interchangeable.

“For instance, only one of four options cited in the document makes any mention of retaining the current Gatwick Express carriages, which are specially designed for airline passengers travelling with luggage,” he said.  “The provision of fit-for-purpose trains is critical for airline passenger and commuter alike, and yet it is conveniently ignored in this document as if it were an inconsequential detail.  But I don’t see the DfT suggesting that commuter trains could operate the Heathrow Express!”

Continental also questioned the data in the consultation document relating to passenger loads on Gatwick Express and Southern trains arriving at London Victoria.

“The DfT claims that Southern trains serving Victoria are overcrowded while Gatwick Express trains are half empty, but it doesn’t compare apples with apples,” claimed Schumacher. 

“Why does the DfT use a different data point for each service – “Summer Friday(s)” passenger numbers for the Gatwick Express, when that service carries less commuter traffic, and “Autumn weekdays” numbers for the Southern services?  Moreover, were these numbers to be considered, first hand experience – along with seasoned statisticians – would tell you that gross averaging over a lengthy period belies the usage of peak-time services where, even today, Gatwick Express trains are nearly full. 

“Furthermore, no recognition is made of the fact that commuter trains arriving at Victoria overcrowded carry passengers who boarded at Gatwick – and were attracted by the widely advertised lower fares on Southern trains.”

Questionable data like these, together with its omissions of pertinent information, make the consultation document incomplete, said Schumacher.

“As a result, it is impossible for anyone to give an informed opinion on the options put forward for consultation,” he added.

Report by Phil Davies