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Calls to improve the ‘Cinderella service’ Abbey Flyer

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/new...__Abbey_Flyer/


Campaigners are calling for the Watford to St Albans Abbey Line to be
upgraded to London Overground style of service.
The Abbey Flyer Users’ Group hope the branch line can be improved from a
current ‘Cinderella service’ to "a fundamentally better service to meet
passenger demand, the growing population and to relieve road congestion".
David Horton, of Abbey Flyer Users’ Group, who have been campaigning since
1995 said: "The government must grasp the opportunity of the new franchise
to bring essential investment into the line.

"Passengers now look enviously at the London Overground network and see
bright new, air-conditioned trains, well-maintained stations that feel
welcoming and secure, friendly motivated staff, blanket Oyster card
coverage and a much higher frequency timetable than it used to be.
"Because of this, passenger numbers on London Overground have quadrupled -
in just five years and passenger satisfaction has also soared and
punctuality is at an all-time high. London Overground have triumphed in
attracting new business, getting people to give up their cars, simply by
delivering a high quality service.
"At this time of record investment in the rail industry, why should the
Abbey Flyer continue to be such a poor relation?
The Abbey Line currently operates a single train at 45 minute intervals,
serving five intermediate stations between Watford Junction and St Albans
Abbey. End-to-end journey times are 16minutes.
However the group say the 45 minute service leaves passengers with an
unmemorable timetable and limits the number of good bus and train
connections.
The group say they are concerned the last trains from Watford Junction and
St Albans Abbey depart too early to be of practical use for the evening
leisure market.

last train back at 21:50 is about as good as it gets in "ruralland" I'm
afraid. Doubt anyone would want to fund anything different

tim