Yes, of course I appreciate that other firms differ but my point was that for this one how many others are there that are considering a reversal of the past few years working practices?
Most of what I hearing is much more moderate.
This is the first week I'll be in the office for two days in very long time. (I do a lot of client interaction)
And you're right - I don't think SWR/DfT will be happy if it means having to increase capacity.
The firms mostly likely to insist on a more maximal return won't be flexible which will make the SWR challenge harder.
In reality like many other issues I suspect the government does want to commit to spending as that affects the OBR view on room for future tax cut promises.
At least 4 routes will need +2tph and this will need partial 701 roll out and utilisation of some 458s post refurb to enable more 12car 450 running elsewhere. But this would mean DfT agreeing to spend money, do they reckon they can survive 4-5 more months of complaints via MPs (many soon to be ex MPs)?
So far return to London offices seems to have been higher on average the closer to central London that workers live which isn't great for operator revenue especially when then compared to the cost of providing those services.
One thing that hasn't come up in the tread is changes for parents - many needed the high frequency services with trains at the key times to make things work, many of those trains have gone and schools now often have shorter later drop off windows and /or pre school clubs don't start early enough for current train times.
