Greater Anglia is to return to an all day, four trains per hour Stansted Express service, seven days a week from December 2023, as it increases train services and improves timetables.
After reintroducing a weekday, peak time, four trains per hour frequency for Stansted Express services in May this year, airport passenger numbers have continued to increase in line with recovering customer demand after the pandemic. The “every 15 minutes” frequency will be restored during off peak periods and at weekends from Sunday 10 December. As a result, the Stansted Express service will then be as follows:
Monday to Saturdays:
- London Liverpool Street depart: 03.40, 04.10, 04.40, 05.10, then every 15 minutes to 22.55, then 23.25.
- Stansted Airport depart: 05.30, 06.00, then every 15 minutes to 23.59, then 00.30.
Sundays:
- London Liverpool Street depart: 04.10, 04.40, 05.10, 05.40, 06.10, then every 15 minutes to 22.55, then 23.25.
- Stansted Airport depart: 05.30, 06.00, 06.30, 07.00, then every 15 minutes to 23.59, then 00.30.
Off peak journey times will also be slightly quicker, with most services scheduled for 47 minutes, as Greater Anglia is able to take full advantage of now operating new trains, with improved performance capabilities, on all its services.
Other improvements from the December will include:
- An additional 07.25 weekday morning peak service from Ipswich to London Liverpool Street, calling at Manningtree, Colchester and Chelmsford, Stratford and London Liverpool Street.
- An additional 19.05 weekday evening peak service from London Liverpool Street to Braintree, calling at Stratford, Shenfield, Chelmsford, Witham and then all stations to Braintree.
- Additional carriages (up from five to 10) on the 18.05 from London Liverpool Street to Braintree, which calls at Stratford, Shenfield, Ingatestone, Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel, Witham and then all stations to Braintree.
The service improvements are designed to both support the ongoing recovery in passenger numbers and reflect the emerging travel patterns across the Greater Anglia (GA) network, as well as take advantage of the new trains now operating on all GA services.
Jamie Burles, managing director, Greater Anglia said: “We’re pleased to be providing four trains per hour to Stansted Airport all day, seven days a week again, from our December timetable change, benefitting air travellers and commuters alike, as well as some other peak time improvements reflecting increases in passenger numbers.
“With new trains right across our network, we are transforming rail travel in our region, offering an excellent travel experience, more seats, and a more punctual and reliable service. We’ll continue to adjust our timetable in line with emerging demand and look to make further improvements where practical and appropriate.”
Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP said: “I very much welcome the return of an all day, 15-minute frequency on the Stansted Express from December. Greater Anglia is rightly responding to increasing demand, ensuring that this crucial link for customers and communities provides a convenient, high-quality option for travellers.
“With new trains also enabling a reduction in journey times, it shows the UK is focused on offering excellent connections for both domestic and international journeys, supporting both economic growth and leisure travel.”
Image credit: Greater Anglia
