Since its opening two years ago, passengers on the Elizabeth Line have made over 350 million journeys.
Passenger numbers are already above what was expected by 2030, with 150 million passenger journeys, and a more than 50% increase in 2023/24 when there were 210 million journeys. The forecast for the 2024/25 financial year is for 226 million passenger journeys.
Journeys on the line are increasing faster than any other line in the UK and added an estimated £42bn to the UK economy.
The largest increase in the number of journeys has been between Reading and Hayes & Harlington with an 80 per cent increase, while demand for travel to Heathrow terminals has increased by 64 per cent since through-running was introduced in November 2022.
The line has also driven regeneration, with a direct impact on the building of 55,000 new homes, the potential for 15,000 more new homes and 8,000 jobs.
There has been a six per cent increase in new homes in Abbey Wood, whilst Southall and Hayes & Harlington in West London have seen an increase in social housing developments.
Between 2015 and 2022, 60 per cent of employment growth in greater London was within 1 km of Elizabeth line stations.
All 41 stations on the Elizabeth line have step-free access from street to platform, with all central section stations being fully accessible from street to train with staff available if manual assistance is required.
To allow quick boarding, the fifth carriage of each train has four dedicated wheelchair spaces close to the doors, and there are also ten multi-use spaces on each train for buggies, luggage, and cycles.
The Elizabeth line has been a game-changer for our city, transforming travel across London and the South East and delivering a £42bn boost to the UK economy. In just two years, more than 350 million journeys have been made and the line has directly impacted the development of 55,000 new homes and significantly supported employment growth.
The Elizabeth line has played a vital role in our recovery from the pandemic and is helping to build a fairer, greener and more prosperous?London for everyone.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
Responses
Living proof that Crossrail 2 needs to be built.
A second exit — as per original plans — desperately needed at eastern end of platforms at Woolwich
To be fair, it was a LONG time to get it completed. It is fabulous. I remember trundling from Heathrow to Green Park, change to Jubilee line for Charing Cross and just trying to get within striking distance of home. (Bexley, Bexleyheath, Belvedere , Barnehurst ….) Now it is a one stop.
And TfL wants at least 10-20 more Class 345s to be built just in case if the Elizabeth Line is to extend from Abbey Wood to Dartford, Gravesend and Rochester. And to increase more extra capacity and to allow more extra trains to run from Abbey Wood & Shenfield to Heathrow Airport T4 & T5 and Reading.