Commuters have to fight for seats every day on the overcrowded Brighton line. Everyone agrees the miserable situation cannot continue but is axing the Gatwick Express the solution?

The Department for Transport thinks it could be and is considering it among several other options.

Campaigners for the Gatwick Express claim its loss would make life worse for commuters.

Rachel Fitch asked two major players in the argument whether the Gatwick Express should be saved.

YES

  • PAUL GRIFFITHS, managing director, BAA Gatwick

It is a real nonsense to suggest removal of the Gatwick Express. It is one of the country's rare railway success stories and clearly fulfils a huge need.

With solutions just around the corner it must not be axed.

To see this service downgraded in any way would force more cars on to the roads, bad news for climate change and contrary to all our efforts to improve public transport usage.

The Gatwick Express is under threat following the publication of two public consultations issued by the Department for Transport.

The strategy aims to reduce peak-time overcrowding on services between Brighton and London. I firmly believe any attempt to remove or downgrade the Gatwick Express is not the solution.

There is a need for a non-stop, dedicated, fast, frequent, all-day service between Gatwick and London Victoria with plenty of luggage space which is critical for air passengers.

Any changes to this award-winning train service would be a retrograde step in terms of provision and passenger choice.

Without the Gatwick Express at the heart of the airport's integrated transport hub, it would be more difficult for it to retain its competitive position as a leading international gateway serving London. This is ever more important with London hosting the Olympics in 2012.

It was rated first in the UK National Passengers' Survey a record six times in a row, making it the customers' favourite rail service.

The airline community has added its voice to the chorus of calls to save it, including Continental Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, easyJet, Emirates and Delta, demonstrating its international importance.

We have achieved crossparty political support from more than 50 MPs who supported a Parliamentary early day motion expressing deep concern at the proposals to reconfigure the Gatwick Express into a stopping service, believing this would have a detrimental effect on air and rail passengers.

Public support has also been impressive. Eight out of ten who voted via an online poll on Gatwick's website wanted the service saved.

Many major companies use the Gatwick Express and studies have shown it has been an influencing factor in their decision to locate here.

Gatwick is a key economic driver and a significant contributor to the nation's prosperity.

Rail re-franchising and planned infrastructure enhancements around Gatwick station from 2009 will allow for greater capacity of rail services, improve performance and enable better station access for through services from the coast to London.

Gatwick had a record year in 2006 with passenger numbers up to 34 million. Growth is set to continue to around 40 million by 2015. In keeping with Government policy, we aim to increase the numbers using public transport to the airport. The removal of such a highly valued rail service is at odds with these aims and could result in increased road travel, increased emissions and an adverse impact on climate change.

NO

  • SHARON HEDGES, passenger link manager for Passenger Focus, the independent national rail consumer watchdog

There are strong reasons for changing the pattern of train services on the Brighton main line and it is vital that capacity is used effectively to meet the needs of all passengers who travel on routes between Sussex and London.

The Brighton main line is a major commuter route and trains are absolutely packed throughout the morning and afternoon peak periods.

Passengers departing from Hove and Haywards Heath often have to stand, while travellers from East Croydon and south London often find they are unable even to get on to a train.

Meanwhile the Gatwick Express uses the same route, passing busy stations although frequently less than half full.

This situation cannot continue.

Recent years have seen major improvements to the train services on the route with the introduction of a fleet of modern, comfortable trains and high standards of punctuality and reliability.

Passenger satisfaction with the train services continues to increase.

There is little journey time difference between the Gatwick Express and other services, although there is a considerably higher cost to taking the dedicated service.

Many air passengers can be observed voting with their feet and choosing the alternatives to the Gatwick Express.

This will continue as Gatwick serves ever more low-cost flight passengers making short trips with relatively little luggage.

Crowding on Brighton main line services has been documented for many years and is getting worse.

Population and housing growth means these pressures will get ever greater.

Improving rail capacity is a critical part of planning for mobility in the South East.

A sensible solution for Brighton main line services must be selected and implemented as soon as possible.

The proposal to merge the Gatwick Express services with those on the Brighton main line has been welcomed by the vast majority of passengers and many other stakeholders.

It makes sense to use the rail network to deliver maximum capacity to improve passenger comfort and ease of travel.

The proposal will also mean more trains stopping at Gatwick, improving frequencies and making it easier for workers and travellers from south of the airport to make the journey by train.

Introducing some stops at East Croydon and Clapham Junction will also make it easier to change for destinations other than central London and lessen the crowding on other services from these stations.

The train services must be structured to meet the needs of all passengers on the route.

It is neither fair nor sensible to allow a select group of air passengers who travel only occasionally to hijack a major part of the rail network to the detriment of commuters, business and leisure travellers, some of whom make journeys twice each day.

What do you think? Have your say, leave your comments below.