Southern has revealed plans to replace existing trains on the Gatwick Express. Class 442 units would take the place of the current Class 460 stock in December 2012. But Dr John Godfrey, chairman of Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee (Gatcom), says the group’s members are unhappy about the plans. They believe that air passengers with large amounts of luggage and people with reduced mobility will have difficulty getting on and off the carriages because they say they are not as spacious. Now Gatcom is stepping up its ‘Save The Gatwick Express Campaign’.

Dr Godfrey said: “Southern is not renewing the lease on the special 460 carriages designed for airport passenger express services. These have large double doors, and extra luggage capacity. Older refurbished carriages are already being used during peak periods and we believe this is another mistake. The single width exterior doors to the carriages not only cause problems for travellers with large amounts of luggage, but also prevent people in electric wheelchairs from using the service. This refurbished rolling stock will help reduce the popularity and effectiveness of the Gatwick Express.”

But a spokesman for Southern said: “We do not accept that the trains that will be replacing the current Gatwick Express Class 460 stock are inferior. Class 442 trains are currently in use between London Victoria and Brighton in the morning and evening weekday peaks. Our passengers like these trains and they have proved that they are more than capable of meeting the needs of airport passengers and commuters alike.”

Gatcom members are also unhappy about Southern’s plans for new ticket gates at the airport railway station. The new ticket gates are part of Southern s franchise commitment to install these at all its stations.

Dr Godfrey said: “That will mean passengers using the Gatwick Express will have to buy tickets before boarding the train when one of the main selling points for this very popular and important service is the onboard ticketing arrangements. The gates will also hinder the flow of passengers with large amounts of luggage, meaning that they will always need to be manned for free flow.”

The Southern spokesman said: “The installation of automatic ticket gates at Gatwick Airport station and on the Gatwick Express platforms at Victoria is part of Southern’s franchise commitments and are designed to protect revenue and to dissuade undesirable elements of our society using the railway system to get around without paying.”