This was an idea I had recently and I wanted to bring it up for discussion. For those not in the know, the Paris RER (Réseau Express Régional meaning Regional Express Network) serves as a big major part of Paris's public transport network complimenting the Metro by running as a hybrid between commuter rail in the surrounding regions of Paris, and as a rapid transit network in the city centre running between major hubs and skipping small stops in-between. It's not too dissimilar to how the Elizabeth Line runs from east to west via Central London where it serves as an express route complimenting the Central Line by running between major hub stations in the core.
With the railways due to undergo restructuring and reform in which we'll get Great British Railways, could an idea for a similar style network in London be a possibility? The idea I had was to have Thameslink and a few other commuter services in London along with the Elizabeth Line being absorbed into a new regional express network brand operated jointly by TfL and GBR (similar to how the RER is jointly owned by RATP - the Paris equivalent of TfL - and SNCF), with different routes being given different line names, maybe with a few different liveries but preferably a single one to be consistent with the Underground and Overground networks.
Doing this could enable closer integration of services and ticketing as well as providing simplicity for London travellers. GBR meanwhile would still operate intercity and some other longer distance services out of London while jointly-owning/operating the new RER style network with TfL that could later including Crossrail 2 routes should that line ever come to fruition. The Underground and Overground networks would remain as they are under TfL. It seems like a neat idea but I'd like to know what your thoughts are on this idea? How would you maybe do it differently? I'd love to hear your thoughts below.
With the railways due to undergo restructuring and reform in which we'll get Great British Railways, could an idea for a similar style network in London be a possibility? The idea I had was to have Thameslink and a few other commuter services in London along with the Elizabeth Line being absorbed into a new regional express network brand operated jointly by TfL and GBR (similar to how the RER is jointly owned by RATP - the Paris equivalent of TfL - and SNCF), with different routes being given different line names, maybe with a few different liveries but preferably a single one to be consistent with the Underground and Overground networks.
Doing this could enable closer integration of services and ticketing as well as providing simplicity for London travellers. GBR meanwhile would still operate intercity and some other longer distance services out of London while jointly-owning/operating the new RER style network with TfL that could later including Crossrail 2 routes should that line ever come to fruition. The Underground and Overground networks would remain as they are under TfL. It seems like a neat idea but I'd like to know what your thoughts are on this idea? How would you maybe do it differently? I'd love to hear your thoughts below.