'We want to keep our rail line'

By Stephen Robb
BBC News in Hertfordshire

The St Albans Abbey train from Watford Junction leaves from a platform that is separated from the rest of the station by a long fenced walkway, lending the service a fitting air of remoteness.

It feels like a long walk to Watford Junction's platform 11

The route is one of more than 50 the government says are little-used and has been chosen for a pilot scheme aimed at reducing costs and attracting more passengers.

It is unclear what will happen if they cannot be made better value for money, but Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has said: "We can't be in the business of carting fresh air around the country."

Just 11 other passengers used the 1246 GMT service from Watford, Hertfordshire, on Monday, but several of them insisted the trains are "packed" during rush hour.

Terry Sparrow, 62, of Garston, two stops from Watford, said: "You have ticket inspectors on the train who cannot get round because the train is so packed."

Other passengers said the service is popular at the weekend with shoppers travelling to and from Watford.

The 16-minute service offers views along its route of a dazzling array of sheds and conservatories in suburban back gardens, playing fields, and, as it nears St Albans, farmland occupied by sheep and cows.

If the train ran after the pubs have shut, I'd use it more Terry Sparrow Bid to increase railway use

It runs from Watford to St Albans and back 21 times a day, Monday to Friday.

But the last train in both directions leaves before 2200 GMT, and passengers said more people would use it, if it ran later.

"If the train ran after the pubs have shut, I'd use it more. St Albans is a nice place to go in the evening, but you can't get back," said Mr Sparrow.

Student Abbi Crook, 19, of St Albans, said: "I would get the train when I go out in Watford, if I knew I could get home OK."

But she added: "I don't think they will ever make it run later because it goes past so many houses - I reckon they would have people protesting against it."

Cutting the number of trains during quieter periods could increase cost-effectiveness, said 62-year-old St Albans resident Marita Axon.

"Why do they have to run right through the day?" she said.

"They could cut out a few trains in the middle of the day."

Since the government is trying to encourage us to leave our cars behind, they ought to keep some of these little services Marita Axon

Improved marketing is one of the tactics the Strategic Rail Authority hopes will boost passenger numbers.

Student Anjum Shah, 20, said more people know about the service from the main St Albans station to London St Pancras.

"I don't think a lot of people know that this station is here," she said.

"There are people who would use it if they knew about it."

Passengers repeatedly expressed the hope that the line would not be closed.

Miss Crook said taking the bus between St Albans and college in Watford would mean a much longer journey.

A 27-year-old man who works in St Albans, and asked not to be named, said he would be forced to give up his job if the line closed.

Mrs Axon said: "I am not dependent on the train like some people who work in offices in Watford. They would just get into their cars.

"Since the government is trying to encourage us to leave our cars behind, they ought to keep some of these little services available for us.

"I hope we get to keep our line," she added.