Rail capacity a big obstacle to modal shift

05/05/1999

This was one of the main conclusions from an innovative Rail Seminar and Workshop in South London held on 26 March 1999. The main purpose of the event was to examine ways of enticing people away from their cars and to consider better ways of communicating with the travelling public.

The event was hosted by Connex and organised by SWELTRAC (South and West London Transport Conference). Delegates included directors from South West Trains, Connex and Thameslink, as well as from Railtrack, SWELTRAC and SELTRANS (South East London Transport Strategy) local authorities, London Transport, LRPC (London Regional Passenger Committee), London First and Government Office for London.

After positive introductions from Connex's Chief Operations Officer, Geoff Harrison-Mee and South West Trains' MD Graham Eccles, emphasising the importance of co-operation between operators and local authorities, Consultant, John Barkley and London Transport's Julian Maw gave an overview of the Transport scene in London and the research that gave rise to the seminar. They stressed the need and consensus for even greater use of public transport if London is to continue to prosper.

Sir Alan Greengross described how as Chairman of LRPC his aims are the same as those of the operators - quality services at affordable prices, requiring good information and improved integration between modes, particularly at stations. Peter Kendall of Connex spoke of Rail's role in the economic development of London and the South East and of the need to keep public perception of rail services in line with reality.

The three workshops led by Railtrack's Jim Collins, SWELTRAC's Bob Alker and SELTRANS' Gordon Hayward examined:-

• How awareness of public transport opportunities can be improved;

• What are the key messages for the travelling public; and

• How to achieve modal shift in both the peak and off-peak and how to increase peak capacity.

The key issue arising was the lack of capacity at peak times on the radial services into London. Longer trains are seen to be part of the answer in the medium term. The possibility of more trains (on a turn up and go basis) and of better interchange through the three train operator companies developing the South London Metro with LRPC and the sub-regional partnerships was welcomed.

A second outcome evident at the seminar is the importance of partnership working and it is hoped that this sort of event would be repeated.

Thirdly, there is a genuine need to involve the media and the public in the many good news stories in the rail industry. These are already happening for example with reduced crime following the introduction of CCTV, and better interchanges such as the Feltham station gateway to Heathrow initiative.

In addition the public and the media should be encouraged to lobby for greater investment. Besides investment by the private sector Rail Industry, there is a clear need for greater public investment by the government if the necessary improvements in quality and capacity are to be brought about.

Implementation of these issues will make it easier to persuade more people to use their cars less and use public transport instead - thereby achieving modal shift.