Southeastern high speed services' subsidy kept for Deal and Sandwich
Comments |
by political editor Paul
Francis
pfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk
High speed services to and from
Deal and Sandwich are likely to continue to be subsidised by Kent
County Council after signs the services are proving popular with
passengers.
County transport chiefs say they
are more than likely to carry on helping Southeastern fund the
services, which began last September, up until the rail franchise
is renewed.
However, the county council is
expected to negotiate with Southeasterm to cut its subsidy on the
basis of evidence of increased numbers of season ticket holders
using the daily service.
KCC agreed to contribute
£190,000 to meet the costs for a year’s trial. The money is used to
pay for the crew and trains, with three early morning services and
two returning from St Pancras in the evening.
Cllr Bryan Sweetland (Con), KCC
cabinet member for transport, said that in three months, the number
of season ticket holders travelling from the two stations had
increased from 12 to 120.
"The number of season ticket
holders who go from Deal and Sandwich has increased and we have
been pleased with that. If those numbers continue to go up, I do
not think there will be an issue [continuing with a subsidy] and
rolling it forward until the franchise is renewed."
KCC agreed to underwrite some of
the costs on the basis that it could help encourage new businesses
to east Kent following the news of Pfizer’s withdrawal from the
area.
Wednesday, January 25 2012
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