"Arthur Figgis" ] wrote in message
...
On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 23:59:27 GMT, (Neil
Williams) wrote:
I don't see why the airport staff should be any
different. I'd far rather the service was available to all comers at
a reasonable price.
Presumably because it would hit HEx, which is their own trainset so
they can do what they want. People like me can still get the
Piccadilly Line and the buses.
As I've posted elsewhere in the thread, I understand (but admittedly
dislike) the idea behind HEx itself being a premium product at a
premium price. Heathrow Connect is not - it is a local rail service,
and should be priced (and subsidised if necessary) on the basis that
that is what it is.
It will be, just not the final leg to the airport.
AIUI as part of the planning consent for T5 BAA have obligations to ensure
that specific proportions of people employed at the airport (not just BAA
employees) and of airline passengers access the airport by public transport.
The fare levels on HEx and H Connect must therefore be set at levels which
contribute to meeting these targets, as well as giving BAA a fair return on
their investment. It is in this context that H Connect may well offer
concessionary fares for airport employees, while charging casual passengers,
and airline passengers, fares which will not abstract revenue from H Ex.
Peter