Stopping services between London Paddington and Reading are now operated by TfL Rail, delivering immediate benefits to customers. This is the next step in the delivery of the Elizabeth line.
Under TfL Rail, customers will benefit from improvements to their stations including improved customer information and new lifts within the next year. On the TfL Rail service, Freedom Pass holders will enjoy free travel all the way to Reading, with families also benefiting from free travel for children under the age of 11 when they travel with a paying adult. Customers at Iver and Taplow will now enjoy a train service on a Sunday, with two trains running per hour to the capital.
All TfL Rail stations are staffed from first to last train, and stations along the route are being improved to make them more comfortable and accessible. New benches and shelters in waiting areas are being fitted alongside improved electronic signage providing real-time travel information for customers. Several stations will also benefit from improved CCTV and lighting, creating a safer environment in and around the stations. Several ticket offices are also being refurbished, with many stations including Iver and Hayes & Harlington due to have completely new tickets halls and offices.
Howard Smith, Operations Director for TfL Rail, said: “I’m excited to welcome customers on the London Paddington to Reading line to TfL Rail. This is an important step towards opening the Elizabeth line. Customers will notice continual improvements along their route including a new Sunday service at Iver and Taplow and improved accessibility at several stations with lifts being installed to provide step-free access from street to platform.”
The new services are operated by MTR Elizabeth line, on behalf of TfL, with new Elizabeth line trains running between London Paddington and Reading. These provide customers with walk-through carriages, dedicated wheelchair spaces and additional multi-use spaces for buggies and luggage. The trains will initially run with seven carriages as software updates continue to be implemented and tested before being increased to full-length nine-carriage trains.
During peak times, Monday to Friday between 06:30 – 09:30 and between 16:00 – 19:00, services to and from Reading will run every 15 minutes and two trains an hour will run during off-peak times.
