New and longer trains to be introduced in bid to cut rush hour havoc
Commuters across the capital are set to benefit from more trains in the height of rush hour, Govia Thameslink Railway has said.
A timetable offering new and adjusted services will be introduced in two weeks’ time, on December 15.
It includes weekday services on some of its busiest routes through South London, including from Sutton and Norwood Junction, as well as new direct trains.
There are several changes to services between East Croydon and London Victoria between Selhurst and Norbury during the morning peak – with some of these trains extended from eight to 10 carriages.
An additional East Croydon to London Victoria train will run calling at all stations via Norbury, departing East Croydon at 8.40am, with two services running the reverse journey from Victoria at 6.57am and 7.57am.
The 7.50am Selhurst to London Victoria service will now start at East Croydon.
Passengers living on the Hackbridge line, which includes Mitcham Junction, will also receive a morning and evening peak service to London Bridge.
This train currently starts at Streatham Hill but will now depart from Sutton and travel via Hackbridge, leaving at 8.07am, calling at all stations between Sutton and Tulse Hill before arriving at London Bridge for 8.49am.
To make this change, the 7.50am Streatham Hill to London Bridge service will be withdrawn – but the train before will run with eight carriages instead of six to give commuters more seats.
The new timetable has also introduced three services from Norwood Junction to London Bridge via Sydenham in the morning rush hour. This means passengers travelling from Anerley and Penge West will have a direct service to London Bridge.
These trains will depart Norwood Junction at 7.37am, 8.04am and 9.04am, taking just half an hour to get into the central London station.
In the evening, two more services will also run from London Bridge on the same route, going all the way to Sutton via West Croydon.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) worked with key stakeholders and partners to put trains where they are needed most.
GTR’s Customer Services Director, Jenny Saunders, said: “The south London rail network is one of the busiest in the country, moving tens of thousands of commuters and leisure travellers between their homes and the city each day.
“We are committed to providing a reliable service to passengers – giving them more journey choices and longer, more comfortable, trains in the morning rush hour.”
It comes as part of a wider programme of timetable changes by train operator Govia Thameslink Railway, which is responsible for one in every four journeys made by rail in the UK.
(Picture: GTR)