05.07.17
Deal struck to bring Elizabeth Line services to Heathrow
Elizabeth Line services will now serve Heathrow Terminal 5 as part of a new plan between the airport, Transport for London (TfL) and Department for Transport (DfT).
From 2019, at least 22 trains per hour, of which six will be on the Elizabeth Line, will connect central London with Heathrow – up from the current rate of 18 per hour.
This means a train will depart to the airport from the centre of the capital on average every two-and-a-half minutes – including two Elizabeth Line trains per hour to Terminal 5.
Heathrow has also confirmed that a joint feasibility study is underway to look into putting an additional two Elizabeth Line trains per hour to Terminal 5 – delivering eight trains per hour to the airport.
Additionally, from May 2018, passengers will benefit from more convenient journeys by being able to use their Oyster or contactless card at the airport with the installation of new ticket readers at Heathrow.
The deal with TfL will support Heathrow’s plans to ensure that half of all journeys to the airport are y electric or low emission public transport by 2030.
“This agreement is a big step forward,” said Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye. “Together Heathrow, TfL and the DfT are working together to boost rail connections to the UK’s hub, giving our passengers more choices to travel sustainably between Heathrow and London.
“With 22 trains per hour, an ambition to add even more services and easy to use Oyster and Contactless ticketing, Heathrow will be at the heart of an integrated transport network and our passengers will reap the benefits.”
And Mike Brown, London’s transport commissioner, added: “We have been working with Heathrow on how we can deliver the best services for customers to and from the airport.
“It is great news that we can now confirm that the Elizabeth Line will serve all the Terminals.”
The news comes after a long running dispute between Crossrail and Heathrow over whether TfL should pay a track access charge to run trains on the Heathrow Express was recently resolved. At the end of May, the High Court blocked Heathrow’s attempt to impose the charge on Crossrail trains, allowing services to serve the airport without being charged.
Top Image: Heathrow Airport Limited
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