Extra peak-time services are set to be introduced from December

Great Northern Class 379 train (credit Govia Thameslink Railway)

An additional fleet of 30 trains will help Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) boost capacity for Great Northern and Thameslink passengers in North London.

The Electrostars trains, were previously used on the Stansted Express service by Greater Anglia but have now been leased from owners Porterbrook.

The first two four-carriage units entered service this week with more to come later. Once all 30 are introduced, GTR will be amending its Thameslink and Great Northern timetables in December to add extra services for passengers.

The timetables will include a new departure from Crews Hill in the morning peak, serving all stops along the Hertford Loop Line through western Enfield and Haringey. Three more peak-time services between King’s Cross and Letchworth Garden City will include a stopping service calling additionally at New Barnet.

However, Hertford Loop Line services during off-peak times will remain at two per hour, despite repeated calls to restore the pre-pandemic service of trains every 15 minutes.

GTR engineering director Steve Lammin said: “These extra trains we have started to bring into service are a real demonstration of GTR working with partners across the rail industry to give passengers extra services and better journeys right across the south east. They’re supporting our steady recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

“Here, on the route north of London to Cambridge and King’s Lynn, we’ve worked with our partners across the rail industry to develop this new timetable for December 2025 that capitalises on the massive £4bn decade-long investment in the East Coast Main Line.

“For our Great Northern and Thameslink customers travelling to and from stations between London, Hertford North, Cambridge and King’s Lynn that will mean more passenger space at peak times where it is needed most, quicker trips to and from London from key destinations and more evenly spaced departure times so customers don’t need to wait as long for a train.

“The timetable will also ensure we are ready for new services to be introduced in the future, for example at Cambridge South Station when it opens.”

Stefan Rose, chief investment officer at Porterbrook, said: “I’m delighted that more of our Electrostars are entering service with GTR. When we acquired the fleet from Akiem last year we were confident that they would be perfectly suited to GTR’s requirements, and it’s excellent to see them back out on the network to serve passengers for many more years to come.”

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