"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
...
Surprised no one has picked this up but the DfT have issued a press
release about the key points of the South Central franchise
specification.

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fu...partment=False


Some interesting enhancements that pick up points TfL and London
Travelwatch made in their consultation responses. As the wider
extension of Oyster PAYG to London TOCs is now further delayed to
September 2009 it seems that this franchise's start time, Oyster
extension and the transfer of some stations to LOROL will all coincide
nicely.

A little ominous that there is no mention whatsoever about ELLX Phase 2
and its relationship to this franchise or any indication as to when an
announcement might emerge. I think we're very nearly out of time in
terms of a decision being timely enough for the work to be carried out
in order to support Thameslink works.


Good to see a Brighton - Southampton service on Sundays, the current 2 tph
SN weekday service (ex Brighton and Victoria), but nothing on Sundays,
leaves some huge gaps in the west coastway network. Should be a successful
service given the popularity of the weekday trains, which have only been
running a year so far anyway...

Paul