Steve Lewis wrote:
Would it be a fair compromise to put Heathrow (Crossrail) into a
different fare zone to Heathrow (Tube)? That way you get to charge a
small surcharge for using Crossrail rather than the Piccadilly line,
which given the faster journey and more comfortable trains is probably reasonable.

Yes, that may have to be the compromise if the HAL rail access charges
can't be reduced. There is a precedent in that Watford Met and Junction are
in quite different fare zones, despite being only about a mile apart.

HEx will not be part of the Oyster system, so its station in T5 won't be
included or gated, and Hex travel will continue to be free between T5 and
T2&3. Crossrail and HEx will share platforms at T2&3, so it won't be
possible to have barriers there. And the Crossrail service between T4 and
T2&3 will continue to be free, so the T4 station can't be gated either. It
will all be a bit complicated, with none of the three stations gated, some
services free, some charged at Oyster prices, and others at premium prices.
HEx users can buy tickets on board, at the station, or in advance, at very
different prices.