Press Release

One year to go until 50% reduction in Thameslink services. Passenger User Groups on First Capital Connect’s Thameslink route seek retention of 4 trains per hour to East Croydon and Gatwick Airport.

[Available as a PDF at

APTU1 and BCA2, the Passenger User Groups on the First Capital Connect (“FCC”) Thameslink route call upon the rail industry to retain 4 trains per hour to East Croydon and Gatwick Airport after the start of major engineering work at London Bridge in December 2014. This work is part of the Thameslink Programme to improve capacity for the new Thameslink trains.

Under current plans which have been specified by the DfT services to East Croydon and Gatwick Airport will reduce to 2 trains per hour with the other 2 trains per hour terminating at Elephant & Castle from December 2014. This reduction in service frequency will make it more difficult for local commuters who work in Croydon and for travellers to Gatwick Airport.

Neil Middleton, Chairman of APTU, said “Just one cancellation will lead to a one hour gap in the service, with commuters being very late for work and air travellers missing flights” He went on to say “Four trains per hour reassures and meets demand – passengers know there will be another train along soon if there are problems”.

Arthur Taylor, Chairman of BCA, said “ The East Croydon and Gatwick Airport corridor is extremely busy for both Commuters and Leisure/social travellers from north of the Thames and the present service of 4 trains per hour needs to be maintained”. He went on to say “as a result of this decision by the DfT the rail industry will lose both passengers and revenue”.

Notes:

  1. APTU (the Association of Passenger Transport Users) is the Passenger User Group on FCC’s Thameslink route north of the Thames for stations between West Hampstead and Harlington inclusive. Their web site is at
  2. BCA (the Bedford Commuters Association) is the Passenger User Group on FCC’s Thameslink route north of the Thames for Bedford & Flitwick. Their web site is at
  3. Services to London from the North, to Sevenoaks and around the Wimbledon will be largely unaffected by this change.
  4. Media questions should be addressed to Neil Middleton (APTU Chairman) on 07887 628367 or Arthur Taylor (BCA Chairman) on 07850 730092.

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