Top marks for the Heathrow Express

HEATHROW EXPRESS has received an excellent overall satisfaction rate of 94% from a poll of UK rail passengers, compared to the national average of 80% and a London & South East average of 78%.

The air-rail link, which connects London Paddington and Heathrow in 15 minutes, has consistently received overall satisfaction ratings of more than 90% for the last three years.

Of the 23 train operating companies surveyed, #HeathrowExpress came top in the following categories: comfort of seating area (95%); cleanliness both inside (96%) and out (95%); sufficient room for passengers to sit and stand (93%) and top for upkeep and repair of the train (96%). It shared a joint first for speed with Merseyrail (96%), overall satisfaction with the station with East Coast and First Hull (90%) and again with First Hull (94%) for personal security on board.

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Picture Credit: "Heathrow Express P1180327". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Virgin Trains East Coast targets airlines' market share

VIRGIN TRAINS EAST COAST is aiming to capture market share from domestic airlines through a series of initiatives.

A more flexible reservation system is to be introduced allowing bookings to be made closer to departure to better suit travellers who make last-minute travel arrangements.

Customers booking online or via the company’s app will be able to collect two Nectar points for every pound spent, while passengers can also earn Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles.

The plans come as the rail operator approaches the 100th day of business since taking over the inter-city East coast franchise in March.

The company is promising faster journey times between London King’s Cross and Leeds of two hours and Edinburgh in four hours, with improved catering designed by local chefs with menus changed regularly.

Longer-term plans include the introduction of 65 new ‘Super Express’ trains from 2018.

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Picture Credit: Virgin Trains East Coast Super Express Train by Virgin Trains East Coast - http://www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/media-centre/#/images/image-of-iep-new-train-in-virgin-trains-east-coast-livery-395152. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

A Gatwick- London train … every 3 minutes

NEW Gatwick Express trains will enter service between the airport and London Victoria from early next year, with 108 new carriages designed specifically for airport passengers. Rail capacity through Gatwick will double, with a train leaving the airport for London every three minutes, according to the airport’s managers.

The improvements in services are being matched by a £120.5 million transformation of Gatwick Airport railway station by 2020.

Gatwick’s chief commercial officer, Guy Stephenson, said: ‘The new trains will be much more reliable and will be stacked with amenities suited to the needs of air travellers. Combined with robust new track and signalling systems, Gatwick’s passengers will experience a really pleasant and dependable service. Overall, the improvements to Gatwick’s rail service means that 15 million people will be brought within 60 minutes of Gatwick by rail – the best reach of any UK airport.’

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Picture Credit: 442412 at Victoria 4 by Panhard - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons