Extra carriages to be added to busiest Southeastern routes

The Department for Transport (working with Southeastern and Govia Thameslink Railway) has approved the transfer of the carriages (which will provide over 5,000 additional seats into London in the morning peak alone) that were previously in use on Thameslink and Southern services.

“We are delighted to have secured these carriages for our passengers. Longer trains will mean more seats, more space and more comfortable journeys,” said David Statham, Managing Director at Southeastern. “Longer trains will mean more seats, more space and more comfortable journeys. Some of these carriages will be deployed this week and we are looking forward to introducing the rest over the coming weeks. Southeastern has worked very closely with the Department for Transport and Govia Thameslink Railway to deliver this extra capacity for passengers.”

Over the next few weeks, these carriages will be modified for use on the Southeastern network, with the Maidstone East line having additional air conditioned modern carriages with some peak-time trains doubling in length, while on the Hayes, Bexleyheath, Woolwich, Sidcup, Bromley South and Grove Park lines, peak-time trains will be lengthened from eight to ten carriages while some six-car trains will lengthened to eight.

“We are committed to getting passengers across the country more comfortable, reliable and efficient journeys that they want,” added Rail Minister Paul Maynard. “Today’s announcement will see an extra 5,000 seats for passengers on Southeastern on services into London in the morning rush hour period – bringing immediate benefits to many commuters.”

The first 16 carriages will be introduced in mid-September and the remaining will be introduced in phases by November.