Supplementary memorandum by the Go-Ahead
Group (OPT 09A)
I refer to Question 293 of my evidence to the
Select Committee and the request to supply additional information.
I can give no conclusive explanation to the
phenomenon identified by the Committee. However, we now recognise
that the evening peak has spread later—the equivalent to
the morning two hour peak (0700-0859 London arrival time) is probably
1630-1929, or possibly even later.
One relevant factor which may help answer the
in balance in loading, is that Thameslink has more evening peak
paths via both London Bridge (for Brighton services) and via Herne
Hill (for Sutton/Wimbledon services) than in the morning. For
example, Thameslink has no northbound arrival at London Bridge
between 0715 and 0909, with Brighton services during that period
having to be routed via Herne Hill, whereas there are six southbound
between 1645 and 1840. This, in turn, creates slots at Herne Hill
in the evening for a greater number of Sutton/Wimbledon trains.
It is noticeable that Thameslink carries more passengers in the
evening peak from London to the south than into London in the
morning peak—significantly so on the Sutton/Wimbledon services
where the evening figure is almost 14% higher than the morning.
This suggests that there are a number of passengers
who travel into London in the morning on South Central (and probably
some from Wimbledon on SWT), but travel home by Thameslink. Whilst
I cannot definitely prove this explanation, I suggest it is the
most significant contributor to the difference in am and pm peak
loading on South Central.
Keith Ludeman
Chief Executive—Rail
February 2003
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