The final station across the Elizabeth line has opened today, as Bond Street station marks the completion of the new transformational railway. This morning saw London's Transport Commissioner, Andy Byford joined by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to welcome the first customers to the grand opening.
Though the station missed the Elizabeth Lines unveiling in May, it will now be integral to services as they will begin calling at Bond Street from this morning with two new entrances, at Davies Street near Oxford Street and Hanover Square near Regent Street. Services from this station will arrive every five minutes, with an increase to every three to four minutes at peak times starting from Sunday 6th November.
Andy Byford, London's Transport Commissioner, said:
“This new station is the jewel in the crown of the West End’s transport provision. It is truly spectacular. I promised that Bond Street would open in autumn, and we have delivered on that promise. It is now set to serve as a significant new link to one of the most popular shopping districts in Europe, just in time for the busy festive period this year.
Since opening in May, the Elizabeth line has seen more than 27 million journeys on the central section, and more than 54 million journeys in total. Bond Street’s opening will see a major increase to the passenger usage in services, with an estimated 140,000 daily journeys, as it will provide new links to one of the busiest shopping districts in Europe ahead of the festive period. As the rail sector recovers economically from the recent pandemic restrictions, the Elizabeth line and her ten completed stations will aid dramatically in further fiscal aid.
The economic aid that Bond Street will provide will hopefully validate the dramatic costs involved with its inception, as it is estimated to have cost £680m, a considerable £570m over its initial £110m budget.
The costs involved with the station are on full display as it features two new spacious ticket halls, with an abundance of natural light to lead passengers to their platforms. Both entrances feature columns, which blur the line between interior and exterior spaces and help the station fit into its surroundings which is complemented by the choice of materials: red sandstone at Davies Street, and pale Portland stone at Hanover Square. Bronze is also used throughout the station - in ticket halls to frame ventilation grilles between columns, and above the escalator leading to the Davies Street entrance where an angular bronze ceiling provides decorative detailing and acoustic absorption.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“I'm delighted to be here today as the spectacular new Elizabeth line station at Bond Street opens to passengers for the first time. The spacious, stylish, and step-free station at Bond Street is a huge boost for our retail and hospitality businesses and will radically improve travel across London and the South East by providing a new link to one of the busiest shopping districts in Europe ahead of the festive period. I can’t wait for Londoners and visitors to our capital to experience this beautiful new station for themselves
“The opening of the Elizabeth line by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Paddington in May was a landmark moment, not just for London but for the entire country. It is playing a crucial role in our recovery from the pandemic and delivering a £42 billion boost to the UK economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of new homes and jobs. The Elizabeth line is helping to build a better London - a fairer, greener, and more prosperous city for all. I’m so proud of this new line.”
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