realistically what can be done in the short-medium term to improve western connectivity to Heathrow

[popeter45]

Recently helping various members on my Family Travel to Heathrow from the West of England/South Wales I have realised just how much of a hassle it is compared to traveling from London itself
While I have the Elizibeth Line/Picadilly Line/ Heathrow express all as direct Trains to the Airport if Traveling from the west the 3 Options all have downsides

1. Train all the way to Paddington then backward to Heathrow on Elizibeth Line/Heathrow express both adds time and cost via having to traverse Central London
2. Change at Reading to Elizibeth Line to Hayes & Harlington then backwards again to Heathrow requires taking the slow stopping train all the way from Reading and involves platform Changes at Hayes & Harlington with Luggage
3. Change at Reading for the Coach Link requires a full modal shift, extra cost and a slower trip

at the moment the western access project seems on indefinite hold so at minimum Years/Decades away so not a Viable short-medium term option either

any suggestions on what could be done to improve the experience for Western Customers?
trying to make a Reading fast Service reverse at Hayes & Harlington would mess with the rest of the mainline too much and even a Reading-Hayes-Paddington express service on the Fast line would face issues from Pathing to the Platform change issues in current option 2.

 

[cle]

This is likely what the OOC calls will help - still a backtrack (more painful on a local service than a long distance) - and yes Hayes would obviously be a better point. Potentially more calls in future there would help but I think doubtful.

 

[Manutd1999]

Maybe the solution is to accept rail isn't the best answer?

GWR could instead provide a regular shuttle bus, non-stop from Reading station to Heathrow. It could be bookable via the ticketing apps as if it were a train and come with the same protections re. missed connections etc. Problem solved?

 

[popeter45]

Maybe the solution is to accept rail isn't the best answer?

GWR could instead provide a regular shuttle bus, non-stop from Reading station to Heathrow. It could be bookable via the ticketing apps as if it were a train and come with the same protections re. missed connections etc. Problem solved?

3. Change at Reading for the Coach Link requires a full modal shift, extra cost and a slower trip

 

[zwk500]

3. Change at Reading for the Coach Link requires a full modal shift, extra cost and a slower trip

Having train tickets accepted by National Express for longer journeys like Cardiff or Bristol to Heathrow would also work. Many people I know in Bristol use the coach over the train even into central London because the point-to-point times are not much slower and the coach is far, far cheaper. From Bristol to Heathrow the coach is almost a no-brainer.

 

[Manutd1999]

the Coach Link requires a full modal shift, extra cost and a slower trip

If the coach was integrated with rail it wouldn't incur any extra cost and the modal shift wouldn't be any less convenient than changing trains.

 

[JonathanH]

If the coach was integrated with rail it wouldn't incur any extra cost and the modal shift wouldn't be any less convenient than changing trains.

'Wouldn't incur any extra cost' relative to what, the fare from the West to Reading?

Short of building a ramp for the coach up to platform level within Reading station, how do you propose that the modal shift could be made no less convenient than changing trains? As it is, the coach stop is basically integrated into the same part of the station as trains to Gatwick.

Having train tickets accepted by National Express for longer journeys like Cardiff or Bristol to Heathrow would also work. Many people I know in Bristol use the coach over the train even into central London because the point-to-point times are not much slower and the coach is far, far cheaper. From Bristol to Heathrow the coach is almost a no-brainer.

There is a paradox in that statement about the coach being cheaper, and accepting train tickets. What would ve the purpose of buying a train ticket to travel on a coach, when buying the coach ticket does the same thing, and doesn't involve complex monetary transfer agreements between the coach company and the railway.

 

[zwk500]

There is a paradox in that statement about the coach being cheaper, and accepting train tickets. What would ve the purpose of buying a train ticket to travel on a coach, when buying the coach ticket does the same thing, and doesn't involve complex monetary transfer agreements between the coach company and the railway.

To satisfy the OP's intention that rail be part of the answer.