London’s Elizabeth Line: New operator shortlist announced

It would be extremely interesting if someone could compare the concession model (Overground, DLR, Tram, Elizabeth Line) with direct operation (Tube). Which offers the more reliable service, which is cheaper, what is best for ordinary members of staff ?
Has anyone done that?

The Liz line has obviously been a success and the benefits do not need to be restated. My disappointment is that the trains themselves are designed with a “metro” mindset and are poorly suited to the quite long journeys made on them. The lack of toilets, phone charging ( a handful of sockets now on some) , and tube-style seating are all features for short urban trips but people are doing hour-long journeys. Contrast Thameslink trains, which are doing a comparable job and have a very different design. Trains from Heathrow are often busy with airline passengers, regularly told by announcements to keep luggage clear of aisles and seats, despite the obvious issue that there is no provision for their voluminous luggage to go anywhere else!!!

Although the Elizabeth Line trains are clean, fast and frequent, the main issue l have with the line is the ridiculous decision not to stop at some stations after around 9pm at night including Burnham station. It’s ridiculous to stop at Slough and the next Station is Maidenhead but not stopping at Burham which normally means that one has to come down from the train into the cold to wait for the annoying bus replacement service full of cramped and noisy passengers. Ridiculous!!!!

There was talk of extending the line as originally it was supposed to go much further east , and link up more with greater Anglia services, one solution which they say might impact existing services is to use existing tracks , although I’m not that familiar with the geography down there as I’m in Scotland, but the fact that when HS2 opens , that from old oak common you can link with GWR and upcoming open access operators , with possible links to the lines from marlybone to link to east west rail , which in turn has links from the west coast mainline , midland mainline and will link the east coast mainline , mesns that the Elizabeth line will have a host of connections for all points north , west and east to Anglia , can only be a good thing , especially if they can get on and continue HS2 to Euston , I don’t know if the Elizabeth line goes anywhere near Euston , or if it’s possible to build a link for the Elizabeth line to Euston , allowing links to Milton Keynes , Birmingham Manchester and Scotland, the importance of the Elizabeth line cannot be underestimated, according to rail magazines they are already talking about more new Elizabeth line trains to increase services, but also you ought to be able always supposed to be the plan to be able to board an Elizabeth line trains at reading and go in one journey to the far east of the line without changing at Paddington, and if they build crossrail 2 , they ought to ensure it links to the west coast mainline, and perhaps have services as far as Milton Keynes. Similar to how they go as far as reading now.
We cannot underestimate the importance of new railways, as electric cars are expensive and the infrastructure is not good enough, and insurance is higher , not to mention the environmental costs of recycling batteries that are worn out . People will not want to spend so much on these vehicles that will be largely autonomous , and so the freedom of motoring will no longer be as it is today . Meaning the railways will be needed more and more , we need to reopen closed lines .
They also need to revisit and actually build the short link between HS1 and HS2 to allow Eurostar services can serve not only the capital, but the north and Scotland or Yorkshire and the northeast to Edinburgh. To combat the use of domestic flights from Manchester for example, that only adds to environmental issues .
We need to move as many people by rail as possible.
And old oak common, is perhaps not going to be big enough, in future to facilitate, the sheer possibilities of the various rail services, that can make use of it, hence the importance of the Elizabeth line, to run as far as it can as is practical .
Perhaps even extend services west of reading . And the east end of the capital beyond the current end of the line .
Hopefully crossrail 2 will be built and crossrail 3 ..
There was a plan for the rail equivalent of the M25 with an orbital railway around London .
However with some tweaks crossrail , can do so much more .
It’s already a fantastic service.
But they should also ensure it’s a British operator , to keep jobs in this country , at a time when the economy is tanking .
With the right thinking and a little bit of clever planning , these crossrail lines will not just benefit London but the whole nation

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all the staff of Elizabeth line operators, you have changed the face of London, it’s a remarkable transport for everyone, so keep up the good work. Can you keep freedom pass as it was before Corona? You are going to be old then you will find the difference, so keep the old legacy on.