Greater Anglia will begin operating its new timetable this Sunday, the 21st of May. The timetable will see an increase in Stansted Express services due to customer demand increases following the pandemic and will also support the airport’s strong recovery in air traveller numbers.

Stansted Express services will see the return of 4 trains each hour during weekday peak time starting from Monday the 22nd of May. Trains will run every 15 minutes from Monday to Friday during the following periods:

• London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport from 05.10 to 08.10 and 16.10 to 19.40
• Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street from 06.00 to 09.15 and 16.45 to 20.15

Off-peak times will see services continue with a half-hourly frequency, however, new 12-carriage trains will be in operation which will provide up to 80% more seating than the previous 8-carriage trains offering plenty of capacity for passengers during these times.

Further timetable benefits which also commence next week include:

• Extra weekday morning peak services from Southend, Southminster, Colchester, Braintree, Witham and Chelmsford into London.
• Extra weekday morning and evening peak services on the West Anglia route between Ely, Cambridge, Stansted Airport and London and including the additional Stansted Express services.
• Improvements to weekday peak train services travelling to and from Kings Lynn and Ely with Govia Thameslink Railway. GTR will provide a consistent peak time pattern both to and from Kings Lynn, alongside a half-hourly pattern to and from Cambridge and London Kings Cross. This allows Greater Anglia focuses on its London Liverpool Street peak services to and from Ely.
• All Hertford East to London Liverpool Street weekday peak services will operate via the Lea Valley
• Normal summer season additional services will operate on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays between Norwich and Great Yarmouth
• Normal summer season additional Sunday morning services will operate between Ipswich and Peterborough

The timetable brings service improvements, which supports the railways’ continuing recovery as rail passenger numbers increase following the pandemic, alongside emerging travel patterns across Greater Anglia’s network. The changes also support the rail operators roll out of new trains which are set to see a full transition this summer. 

Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Greater Anglia said: “We’re pleased to be providing 4 trains per hour to Stansted Airport at peak times on weekdays from next week, benefitting air travellers and commuters alike, as well as other peak time and summer season improvements aimed at encouraging even more customers to take the train.”

“With new trains now scheduled to operate all of our services, we are transforming rail travel in our region, offering an excellent travel experience, more seats, and a more punctual and reliable service. We’ll continue to adjust our timetable in line with emerging demand and look to make further improvements whenever practical, working with regional partners (such as the Stansted Airport team) on the case for additional services wherever appropriate.”