The second anniversary of the start of domestic passenger services on High Speed One has seen passenger numbers powering ahead.
More services are being introduced to meet demand. Local people want more. Says Charles Horton, managing director, Southeastern, ‘This year we have responded to passenger and stakeholder needs and have introduced new services from Maidstone West, Sandwich and Deal and we are grateful for the support of Kent County Council, local MPs and other stakeholders in making this possible.
‘The service continues to prove popular with 89 per cent of passengers telling the independent Passenger Focus satisfaction survey they think it is good or very good.’ In the second year of operation Southeastern has recorded an additional million passenger journeys compared to the first year of operation, now totalling 8.2 million.
How far do loadings have to increase before removal of the premium fare?
Does this mean that additional services will soon be introduced. There are already standing passengers on peak-hour trains. Given that the trains are already 12 carriages long, three trains an hour at peak times must surely be the solution?