A number of services have dropped in capacity as some of the 442 diagrams are being formed 8-450. They are working peak time services that prior to May would have been 12-450 or 10-444. It;s not just the Portsmouth line either, a number of services across the network have been short formed since May.
Yes, by example for the Portsmouth line (which I commute on), I have done the following calculation to show how many seats have been ‘lost’ between 1800 and 1859
I slightly disagree with that, the 444s and 442s actually don’t have that great of a difference in capacity compared to a 12-450 at 796 seats (720 = 10-444, 736 = 10-442).
Those "Surbiton" services can't stay on the slow lines as they are full further in. The timetable maximises overall capacity not journey speed. To see the full benefits of Woking flyover would also need some outer SWML power supply improvements.
Remember that not everyone campaigned for more 2+2 seating. Those further down the line tended to, whereas those boarding further in towards London were generally happier with the 450s as they gave a greater chance of a seat. The anti 450 brigade just shouted the loudest.
And Havant, Fratton, Portsmouth... I feel that it is a good compromise as those longer distances passengers want a more comfortable, faster train, while inwards from Haslemere capacity is most key
Do those numbers take account of 444s and 450s in their unrefurbished and refurbished states, nominally pre and post May respectively?
I agree. The problem is that short distance commuters will pick a fast service out of Waterloo for their short trip (30 mins) to Guildford, as indeed I would if I lived there. The remainder of the trip to Portsmouth is an hour so definitely a compromise. Frustration is that going to Havant I can find a full and standing train at Waterloo but on occasions have been the only soul in the carriage after Haslemere.
I certainly would and have used the fast services when travelling to Guildford. However, I'm perfectly happy with 3+2 seating for such a journey.
Less seats per train, theoretically balanced by more full length trains per hour. From the Portsmouth end of the route it should have been 4 tph offpeak now rather than the current 3 With additional peak flow direction services as well
These “fast from Surbiton” services, 7 in number, are explained in the Wessex route study. They have to remain on the fasts into Waterloo unless Crossrail 2 is built.
