Great Western Coffee Shop

Not really surprising considering the need for shuttles. But will the existing network cope given the number of trains AXED after the Javelins started? Plus the extra passengers on SE for travel to the Dome and to the DLR!! In fact, if I were a SE commuter I'd be trembling with fear about inevitable crush conditions!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-15798371

Don't forget we'll also suffer in the Thames Valley with Dorney Lake and Slough and Maidenhead as railheads. That's why Slough is getting it's new footbridge ahead of Crossrail.

I think I'm going to hibernate for the 2 weeeks, or rent my house for exorbitant sum!

Odd isn't it, that the general view being reported (and often posted in discussion groups) a couple of years ago was that no one would ever use the HS line, because of the high fares.  Then IIRC the trains were all going to be mothballed because they were running around empty.

So what really happened?

In any case, this is just the BBC trying to fan the flames by reporting this as a recent decision, when in fact it was in the public domain soon after the Olympics travel plan was first announced.  Remember that the term 'Olympic Javelin' was first applied to the shuttle service only - and then the name Javelin was wrongly applied to the EMUs as well.

Paul
 

Actually, SE slowed and and cut the Mainline services, not really giving people the choice. Hence people switched to the HSS to avoid an enlarged journey time. The number of carriages on North Kent services was cut due to low patronage (because it's not actually that faster).

The only success story has been the South Kent services that go all the way to Ashford on HS1 - e.g. the new services to Deal. But again, that's only popular because the existing service to CX is no longer fast after Ashford.

Studying at Kent Uni and travelling to London normally twice a week; I can see that my blood pressure will go through the roof! Thanks for posting this, you've ruined my day! :)