Elizabeth line: Work continues for forthcoming frequency increase

New software has been installed on the Elizabeth line as part of preparations to increase train frequency from May.

A Transport for London board meeting next week includes a report covering the installation of “major ELR300 signalling software update, as well as upgrades to Central Management System and Station Management System software.”

Then in April, “a further signalling upgrade, ELR400, is planned for Easter 2023 to deliver the final configuration for auto reverse and 24 tph.”

A further update is the precursor for an increase from the current 22 to 24 trains per hour in the central London core at peak times.

Since through running begun on to Shenfield in the east and Reading in the West, the report also shows that reliability has dropped.

TfL mention strike action alongside two factors:

• Network Rail infrastructure in the West, where there have been a significant number of points failures, which are disrupting and take time to recover the service
• Reliability of the class 345 trains. A further train software upgrade to support this is expected to be delivered by Alstom in February 2023.

Until through running began, Abbey Wood to Paddington saw trains every five minutes which reduced to every eight minutes and six in the peaks. That should be improved in the final 5c timetable.