26.08.16
Carne promises more improvements ahead of London Bridge opening
The Bank Holiday opening of London Bridge’s new concourse marks a turnaround for the capital’s beleaguered rail services, the chief executive of Network Rail has promised.
Writing for the Evening Standard and on Network Rail’s website, Mark Carne said he was “extremely sorry” for the “frustrating delays” passengers have experienced on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and other networks because of the developments.
However, whilst he agreed that “promises about tomorrow are of little consolation when performance isn’t good enough today”, Carne said that the partial re-opening of the concourse will allow passengers to experience the benefits of the project.
Two-thirds of the new concourse will open on 29 August.
“More needs to be done to make journeys better for passengers; and the work doesn’t stop now,” Carne added.
Once complete, the Thameslink programme will deliver 24 services an hour and an 80% increase in seats, as well as new connections to the Farringdon transport hub.
London’s rail services are facing unprecedented challenges at the moment, as a record high in passengers meets severe difficulties for TOCs.
Only yesterday, the already troubled GTR was hit by the announcement of a station staff strike on 7 September, coinciding with an existing strike on Southern.
Hopefully London Bridge and the Thameslink programme will mark the beginning of better services for travellers in the capital. However, much more needs to be done to solve London’s rail problems.
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