17.09.12
New faster services for Uckfield commuters
An additional early morning service is to be introduced from Uckfield to London Bridge, the DfT has announced.
Early morning commuters will now be able to catch the 5.18am train from Uckfield to arrive at London Bridge for 6.:23am. Previously, the earliest service ran from 6.00am and arrived at London Bridge for 07.43am.
Due to increasing demand, Southern and the DfT have agreed to provide the additional service. Regular commuters had previously written to their local MP and Southern Rail asking them to improve journey times.
Transport minister Norman Baker said: “I am pleased to see the industry looking at solutions that deliver benefits to passengers. Adding an additional service to this vital route will mean more seats for passengers, easing congestion and providing earlier travel to London.”
Southern’s franchise improvement director David Scorey stated: “The Uckfield line has seen significant growth in recent years and we are pleased that we have been able to find a way to respond to the increasing need for extra capacity, particularly on the morning service.”
The service will be paid for by ‘efficiencies’ saved by Southern, until the end of the Southern franchise in 2015. The new service will be introduced in December 2012.
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