(28 Nov 2013, 8:07 am)Dan wrote Why should they get free travel on the 685?
It's a cross country service, linking together two big cities at a journey time of two hours - when this is achieved by the more reliable train at a quicker journey time?
I'm sure some form of 'special rate' could be implemented if the 685 was to cease to exist anyway.
I agree about the free travel, although it would depend where they were travelling and why. I'm not sure about the 'special rate' on the trains though, as if the 685 were to be withdrawn the trains would be the only direct option and would therefore be a monopoly (at least for quite a lot of the route).