Extra Trains Added On GWR’s North Downs Line

Published on: 18 Sep, 2020
Updated on: 23 Sep, 2020

Rail passengers using the Reading and Redhill North Downs Line via Guildford now have an increased choice of trains to catch.

GWR driver Carlos Civera Barranco ahead of the 9.36am service from Reading to Redhill.

Great Western Railway (GWR), that operates the line, introduced a third hourly train service on Monday this week (September 14).

There are now eight extra weekday trains between Reading and Redhill – four in each direction – and increasing the number of services from two per hour to three per hour at key parts of the day.

GWR’s business assurance director Joe Graham said: “Introducing three trains an hour on the North Downs line has been a long-held ambition of ours and we’ve worked closely with Network Rail and other partners to deliver these improvements, which couldn’t be better timed as we welcome more people back to the railway.

“A lot of hard work has been done to make sure people can be confident to travel safely, and that includes running more trains and carriages to make extra room, as well as enhanced cleaning and social distancing measures.”

GWR has also announced, as well as the additional weekday trains, which will increase seat capacity by 11%, from Saturday, September 19, the Saturday service will also become hourly throughout the course of the day, with the exception of the first and last hours. This will increase seat capacity by more than a third on Saturdays on the route.

It adds that the improvement is a major step towards realising aspirations to provide three trains an hour Monday to Friday throughout the day and builds on a recent promise by the train company of new, tri-mode trains and more carriages for the line early next year.

GWR also states: “With more people starting to use trains again, operators are inspiring customers to travel with confidence and reminding them to: plan ahead and travel at quieter times where they can, buy a ticket online and in advance, and book ahead if you need travel assistance. Consider others, wear a face covering unless you’re exempt, not travelling if you have Covid symptoms and consider others, as not all disabilities can be seen. Stay safe, maintaining your distance wherever possible; wash your hands and carry hand sanitiser, paying contactless where you can.

Story based on a press release by Great Western Railway.

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