Andy Kirkham wrote:
gwr4090 wrote in message ...


The half hourly Paddington-Heathrow service will run from 12 December but
only as far as Hayes, and will be worked by Class 165s. It will be
extended from Hayes to Heathrow next Spring when the first four 360/2
Desiros are available.


How will this service will compare in terms of fares and journey times
with the Heathrow Express? Is it to be expected that HX will lose much
custom to the new service?

Between Paddington, Ealing, Southall and Hayes, the services (Heathrow
Connect) are available for use as normal FGWL services, with the same
fares. Revenue for these tickets will go to FGWL.

Fares from Ealing, Southall and Hayes to Heathrow will have a premium
added (i.e. the Hayes-Heathrow section will be expensive). The premium
will go to BAA.

There will be no reduced fare between Paddington and Heathrow, and
Heathrow Connect will be advertised as a Hayes train at Paddington
(similarly, it will be advertised as an Ealing train at Heathrow).
Therefore the custom will be entirely different from HEx, so no HEx
custom will really be lost.

Shameless plug:
http://www.alwaystouchout.com/project/67

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London