| Topic: | Re:Re:PiccaDist | |
| Posted by: | Michael Robinson | |
| Date/Time: | 07/02/20 13:02:00 |
| It was mentioned in TfL board papers from 2018. https://www.londonreconnections.com/2018/upgrading-the-piccadilly/ London Reconnections tend to have their finger on the pulse of what is happening but I haven't seen mention of this recently one way or the other. The logic was that upgraded signalling will permit higher frequency service on both District and Piccadilly lines. A higher frequency service would need more District line trains. It would be very expensive to place an order for additional District line trains as the manufacturer would have to re-tool their production line for a relatively small number of trains years many after the last order. Instead, it would be cheaper to provide the additional capacity through a larger order of new Piccadilly line trains to replace the current stock which are now over 40 years old. Piccadilly line modernisation should be very high on TfL's list but stopping at Turnham Green is a by-product of this which is likely why Mike Brown said it was very important. Piccadilly stopping at TG is a consequence of the approach to modernisation; it isn't something that provides large benefits to millions of people in itself, unlike a higher frequency service on District and Piccadilly. I don't see them spending a lot of time tinkering at the edges of the existing timetable. Timetable changes are never as simple as people think as they affect a large number of other factors including numbers and rostering of drivers. Even if timetable changes were on the cards, I can't see TfL doing anything until Crossrail comes into service and there is more information about how that may change travel patterns on Piccadilly, District and other lines. |