On September 13th I published a response from the train operator for the Caterham line on why changes had made changes to the timetable. Several residents contacted me with questions and asked if could relay them to GTR. Accordingly, I met with GTR and we agreed to get back in contact with each other at the year to get a further update.
I wanted to thank everyone who got in touch with me with their thoughts and concerns about the service. I know that the situation is very frustrating, but it has been useful to be able to relay your experiences to GTR.
I have now received this further update from GTR. In summary, there has not been a significant change in passenger numbers and thus revenue since September, which would enable the operator to put on more trains. While passenger numbers are higher in absolute terms, peak time demand (the money-generating demand) remains at around the 70-75% pre-covid mark.
GTR report that this means that they have to focus on how to get the most passenger benefit out of the current resource. Due to the reduction of income into the service from peak time travellers, their focus is on reallocating existing resources in what they consider to be the most optimal way, rather than being able to deploy additional resources.
To illustrate the drop in numbers, the graph below shows the changes in passenger journeys from pre-covid to now from Caterham going through Kenley.
GTR say that they are interested in ideas for improvement, but these need to be cost neutral and data led through to 2025. I don't think that this give much scope for change.
I’m sorry that this isn’t the news that we were hoping for. I am happy to represent ideas for improvement to the operator, so if you do have any, please do contact me on [email protected]
