More trains to Charing Cross and the Liz line: Southeastern Metro rail improvements due this year
A number of improvements across various Southeastern Metro lines are set to be made later this year reversing previous service cuts.
In welcome news 2022 frequency reductions will finally be reversed with trains through Greenwich and Deptford going back up to six per hour off-peak, of which four will be SE Metro and two operated by Thameslink.
That’ll serve thousands of new residents moving into homes along this stretch of the line in various areas such as almost 2,000 homes near Plumstead station as well as homes in Greenwich and Deptford.
It’ s also a boost to Woolwich Dockyard where 1,000 homes are either now completing or rising.
The Bexleyheath line goes back to two trains per hour to Charing Cross off-peak. A big boost to many and helping those moving into thousands of new homes in Kidbrooke.
The Sidcup line sees direct trains to the Elizabeth line at Abbey Wood return all-day rather than just the peaks at present. That’s another 2022 service reduction set to be reversed.
Improved services would run between Monday and Saturday. Growth in weekend leisure travel in recent years has seen TfL increase train frequency on the Elizabeth line on a Saturday and now those across south east London will benefit from more frequent trains connecting with the service.
Different approaches
Southeastern have been under Department for Transport control since 2021 with the DfT taking a different approach to post-covid recovery compared to Transport for London.
TfL quickly restored timetables and reaped the rewards with fast growth on London Overground despite the arrival of the Elizabeth line. DLR recovered well until the saga of new trains hit the network, with regular closures for testing and a reduction in services as older trains hit the end of their lifespan.
The Department for Transport however cut services just as recovery was tentatively emerging, stalling momentum for some years. They severed some links to the Elizabeth line shortly after it opened despite the line proving wildly popular.
An argument was made that cuts were necessary due to reduced passenger numbers, though that created a vicious circle of reduced trains, no turn-up-and-go services and severed links and so people wouldn’t using rail as they otherwise would have without steep cuts.
With the DfT having tight control across Train Operating Companies in both private hands or nationalized (in recent years all fares go straight to the Treasury to give one example) they also pushed through service reductions on Southern and South Western Railway. In addition rail fleets were scrapped with Southern in particular badly hit.
Welcome news there has also emerged with a rail cascade as former Greater Anglia stock sitting in storage are now being brought back to Great Northern, who are cascading stock to Southern who see a net gain in overall stock.
Green light
Whilst all the signs look good improvements still need sign-off from the Department for Transport.
Yep.
It seems a no-brainer for a government that claims to support new housing which is reliant on improved public transport. However this is the DfT and their paymasters at the Treasury we’re talking about.
Never let it be said they take the long term viewpoint. Any half competent department wouldn’t have cut back in 2022 let alone kept many reductions until 2026, in turn suppressing custom at Metro stations in the midst of growth.
So as ever, while the signs look good don’t bet on it until the December 2026 timetables come out in the summer. Then we’ll finally know if the DfT and Treasury have seen sense.
And Southeastern should order new trains to replace the Class 465 and Class 466 Networker trains that are getting old and need replacing in few years. Whoever wins the bid to manufacture new trains. And to transfer some of the Class 377/2 that are with Southeastern to be sent back to Southern.
They are going to, be patient! These things take time and are in the process. Also Southeastern don’t have 377/2s, they have 377/1s, they have them for a while.
Any news on bringing back the much missed Woolwich – Charing Cross service? (Apologies if I have misunderstood the above)
It’s not mentioned and I would think unlikely. If it happened it’d probably be the 2tph via Lewisham at some future stage.
Hope CHX trains will return on the Woolwich line! It’ll be useful To have a second West End Link when the EL is down.
We have too many trains to the city which playing the peaks but off peak is useless
That’s definitely not going to happen anytime soon, so don’t expect Charing Cross trains on the Woolwich Line for the foreseeable future.
Yes please bring back the Charing Cross services on the Woolwich and Greenwich Line. We need an improved service to the West End. The Charing Cross services were very popular with local residents served by the Woolwich/Greenwich line and tourist to Greenwich.
You can not even get a bus now in to the heart of Central London from Plumstead, Woolwich, Charlton or Blackheath since TFL have cut route 53 right back to Lambeth North.
So goods newz to see there are to be some improvements to services later tbis year.
Not sure Southern will see a net gain…they’ve had to send 377s to South Eastern, which I don’t understand at all when they are scrapping 466s
Southern will see a net gain compared to now when the cascade is complete. Not compered to levels a few years ago though. 30 Class 379 in storage go to great Northern, 24 Class 387s go to Southern who have sent 13 Class 377s to Southeastern to replace Networkers being scrapped. GN see net gain of six trains and Southern gain 11 more units.
@ C I agree. We need to see train services to Charing Cross restored on the Woolwich and Greenwich Line. Along witb restoring our bus services to the West End and Central London from the Woolwich area..
Not everyone is able to or feels safe using the underground. Whether it be the Elizabeth Line or Jubilee Line.
Do let’s see the Charing Cross services restored along with improved bus services to the West End and Central London. Many people who work in lower paid jobs in hospatality the NHS etc often travel by bus as it is cheaper option for them.
I wonder if Southeastern are to keep some of the Class 465s for the North Bromley branch line and Sheerness branch line. Or maybe use Class 375, Class 377/1/5, or Class 376. As Southeastern are planning ahead to replace the entire Class 465 and Class 466 Networkers with new trains. And the Class 707 City Beam to continue on being used on the Hayes, Dartford loop, Orpington and Gravesend services.