Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
New Franchisee for Harringay and Hornsey Train Line
The Great Northern line which serves both Harringay and Hornsey stations will have a new a new master from this September.
The Great Northern franchise has been awarded to train operator Govia, along with those for Thameslink and Southern.
At seven years, the franchise is one of the longest awarded. In return GoVia promise, amongst other things, to operate services to and from Moorgate later into the evenings and at weekends; a new fleet of 150 air-conditioned metro carriages for Moorgate during 2018, and, at a time when London Underground Stations are closing ticket offices, the new franchisee promises that staffing hours will be increased, with the busiest stations staffed from first to last train. Further investment is promised to improve platform access and provide information screens at stations.
Within the lifetime of the franchise there are plans to run trains across London North to South: New tunnels will link Peterborough and Cambridge to the existing Thameslink route providing through trains stopping at Finsbury Park via St Pancras to Gatwick and Brighton.
It's not my impression that people have been bowled over by the the performance of the current operator. The announced changes sound positive. Let's hope GoVia deliver.
More information:
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by JJ B on
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That's because they may be fooled by the EU and privatisation propaganda. You do not appreciate what you have until you lose it!
I do not think that privatisation brings any benefits that cannot be achieved through public ownership. Privatisation has even meant that drivers on the railway have seen their salaries rise considerably due to competition for their skills. Guards have suffered, passengers/customers have to turn to multiple service providers and prices have shot up for peak period travel. The state still subsidises massively and there is a transfer of resources away from public investment to private shareholders - a big ideologically driven con!
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Permalink Reply by matthew cuthbert on
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Will there be new rail stock for Harringay and Hornsey for 2016?
I've heard it from contractors but can find anything online, is it still called the Great Northern Line?
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2018 not 2016 is when the new trains arrive. The current stock of 132 carriages (versus 150 promised new ones) is the oldest rolling stock on the national network. Mind you, the Piccadilly line stock is three years older.
The local branding has reverted to the original 'Great Northern' (similarly, the other half of the First Capital Connect franchise is once again branded 'Thameslink').
Here's a bit more detail that's become available since the start of this discussion in June. The text below is taken from two new Govia publicity leaflets. It is an open question whether the through Thameslink service to Welwyn Garden City from Dec. 2018 will stop at Harringay and Hornsey. If it's like the peak service from King's Cross also referred to, it won't.
By September 2015
Harringay and Hornsey stations will get "all day" staffing i.e. from first train to last train.
Extended operation to/from Moorgate
From December 2015, Moorgate opening hours will be extended to allow services to operate there, rather than King’s Cross, earlier in the morning (from about 0600), later in the evening (until about midnight) and at weekends. This reflects clear demand for extended operating hours on the Moorgate branch. Passengers will continue to be able to access King’s Cross by changing at Finsbury Park. A small number of early morning and late evening services will continue to serve King’s Cross directly.
From May 2018:
• Extra peak services will operate to/from Moorgate to address crowding– providing nearly 20% more carriages across the three-hour peak.
• Hertford Loop: Off-peak frequency will increase to four trains per hour (4tph) (from 3tph today)
• Welwyn Garden City: Off-peak and Saturday frequency will increase to 4tph (from 3tph today)
• Stevenage: Off-peak frequency will increase to/from Moorgate to 2tph (1tph today).
From December 2018:
• In the peaks, 2tph to/from Welwyn Garden City will operate through the Thameslink ‘core’. This is in addition to the peak service between King’s Cross and Welwyn Garden City, which is retained.
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How do we build a case for Harringay and Hornsey?
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In a year's time Harringay and Hornsey stations will be staffed first train to last train, not mornings only Mon-Fri. Longer to wait (4 years) but they will get eight, not six trains an hour.
What extra case did you have in mind, Matthew?
PS I do recall FCC reducing the hours stations were staffed during the course of their franchise period, so it could happen again under Govia unless the all-hours staffing is a franchise requirement.
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One little local step backwards: there's no longer a single pocket timetable for Harringay/Hornsey/Alexandra Palace. You need the timetable for the Hertford trains plus the timetable for the Welwyn trains.
Blame the Govia beancounter who's made a minute saving - "People can carry two timetables and read them in tandem".....
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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
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This is OT, but a nice comparison to Hugh's diagram above.
A 1929 version showing all links available back then. Not to forget that the Underground Northern City Line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate, which was owned and operated at that time by the Metropolitan Railway and worked as a separate entity. Unlike other Underground lines it wasn't included on the diagram, presumably as it was in competition with the LNER.
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Thank you. Unusual orientation - was it designed to fit in the landscape-format advertisement holders above the seats in compartment stock?
Today's delayed passengers on Thameslink would appreciate the return of the line from St Albans to Hatfield.....
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