With most operators implementing a new timetable from Sunday, 15th December, Great Northern has announced that there will be extra capacity on services to London from Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
To ensure that the new timetable reflects the needs of most users, Great Northern’s operator, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), worked with key stakeholders and local partners to ensure the timetable sees trains running when and where they are most needed most.
Between Peterborough and London King’s Cross on weekdays, an additional peak-hour service will depart from Peterborough and calling at Huntingdon, St Neots, Biggleswade and Stevenage.
In the evening, an additional return service will depart from London King’s Cross at 16:42.
Additional services will depart from Letchworth Garden City at 07:17, 07:45 and 08:17, stopping at Hitchin, Knebworth and Welwyn North only.
In the evening, extra services will depart from London King’s Cross to Letchworth Garden City at 17:24, 17:54 and 18:24.
These services are in addition to an extra service that was introduced when a new timetable was released last June.
The December timetable changes are part of a wider programme of timetable changes by Govia Thameslink Railway, which, besides Great Northern, manages train operators Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express.
In November, Great Northern announced that all its trains running to Moorgate in the City of London are now controlled by digital signalling technology using the European Train Control System.
In October, Govia Thameslink Railway started rolling out to all stations that it manages a smartphone app that will improve accessibility around stations and onto trains for blind and partially sighted passengers.
“With almost one in four rail journeys in the UK being made on a GTR train, we are committed to delivering a punctual service which meets the needs of passengers in the 11 counties we serve.
Jenny Saunders, Great Northern’s Customer Services Director
“The new services in this timetable provide even more trains for commuters, giving customers more flexibility when they travel – and also plenty more seats to choose from.”
Responses
Great news, when does the below come into effect?
‘ Additional services will depart from Letchworth Garden City at 07:17, 07:45 and 08:17, stopping at Hitchin, Knebworth and Welwyn North only.’
Great Northern should start allowing the Class 379s to start operating on the London Kings Cross-Peterborough, Cambridge, Ely and King’s Lynn routes and to replace the Class 387/1s to Southern but to keep the Class 387/3s.