Whilst at Reading station at the weekend was surprised to see SWR services advertised as operating out of Platform 1 to Salisbury/Gillingham (Dorset).
My questions are:
1) Why are SWR services operating over the Reading to Basingstoke line - when historically they haven't.
2) The same journey could be done by simply changing at Basingstoke, when traveling from Reading. Therefore where is the justification and demand for a service to Salisbury and particular Gillingham, which is hardly a "must go to" destination for many.
3) Surely a Reading to Portsmouth, or re-instating the Reading to Brighton service (Via Fareham, Chichester and Worthing) would be better route options?
My questions are:
1) Why are SWR services operating over the Reading to Basingstoke line - when historically they haven't.
2) The same journey could be done by simply changing at Basingstoke, when traveling from Reading. Therefore where is the justification and demand for a service to Salisbury and particular Gillingham, which is hardly a "must go to" destination for many.
3) Surely a Reading to Portsmouth, or re-instating the Reading to Brighton service (Via Fareham, Chichester and Worthing) would be better route options?