THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR RAIL TRAVEL

25 Jan 2016 03:17 PM

The Secretary of State for Transport and the Mayor of London have set out proposals for a new era of rail travel for the capital and the South East.

Proposals include:

• Providing more frequent services, more reliable trains, better interchanges and increased capacity
• Introducing a London Suburban Metro service with the potential for more than 80 per cent of stations to have a train every 15 minutes (up from 67 per cent today) and the potential for more regular services via Clapham Junction, South East London and Kent
• Developing new rail lines to connect poorly serviced areas and to support new homes and jobs
• Creating a better travel environment, and improvements to accessibility and staffing
• Delivering an integrated service with joined-up travel information

With the capital's population set to rise from 8.6million today to 10million by 2030, and significant population growth in the surrounding region, the rail network must continue to support housing and jobs. Frequent and reliable rail services are vital to create better connections and unlock new areas for development.

Views will be sought on the proposals, which would see the transfer of rail services that operate mostly or wholly within the Greater London boundary to TfL when the current franchises are due for renewal.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'Our railways have been the workhorse of the London and South East economy since Victorian times. They're key in the day-to-day lives of millions of people and vital to
our future prosperity, and that's exactly why this new partnership is such a seminal moment.

'By working closely together and taking on these new services we're going to emulate the success of the London Overground and give the entire capital and surrounding areas the services they truly deserve.'