#thameslink — Public Fediverse posts

Holidaymakers travelling by train to Gatwick and Luton airports this summer are being urged to allow extra time and take extra care, as passenger numbers rise during the holiday season. Greater #Thameslink #Railway (GTR), which operates Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink services, says there have been 93 reports this year of people falling while trying to board trains, up 43% on 2025. New CCTV footage highlights the risks of attempting to board as doors close, as well as running for trains and taking luggage or pushchairs on escalators. Although overall slips, trips and falls across the network are down 5% since the launch of GTR's #Travel Safe with Diane Morgan campaign, the operator is reminding passengers to plan ahead and avoid rushing, particularly as August is one of the busiest periods for travel to both airports.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/gtr/pressreleases/holidaymakers-heading-to-gatwick-and-luton-airports-urged-to-travel-safely-3460062

Greater #Thameslink #Railway (GTR) has launched its first Squaddie Box mailbox at Crawley station to help homeless veterans and blue light workers access essential services. The secure mailbox provides a permanent postal address, helping users register with a GP, apply for jobs and reconnect with support. Operated by not-for-profit Squaddie Box, the scheme is based in trusted community locations. Crawley was chosen because of local housing and homelessness pressures, with the borough declaring a housing emergency in 2024. GTR's Armed Forces Network has donated £1,000 to fund the installation. The mailbox opened on 24 June, with its first user already signed up. Squaddie Box says the scheme aims to restore dignity and improve access to healthcare, employment and other support, with a similar Civvie Box initiative now supporting the wider homeless community.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/gtr/pressreleases/rail-operator-launches-new-mailbox-scheme-at-crawley-station-to-support-homeless-veterans-3456256

✨ #Thameslink is investing £3.6 million in a major refurbishment of its 115-train fleet following its move into public ownership. The programme includes polishing 46km of train exteriors, refurbishing toilets with anti-graffiti wall coverings, and deep-cleaning all 1,140 carriages.

Funded by the Department for #Transport and Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) and delivered with Siemens Mobility, the work is aimed at improving the passenger experience. The exterior polishing is due to finish by the end of the year, while deep cleaning and toilet upgrades are expected to be completed in the coming months.

The refresh forms part of a wider passenger improvement plan ahead of the creation of Great British #Railways. Other measures include recruiting more drivers to reduce delays, training 110 Travel Safe Officers, upgrading signalling to cut cancellations, and introducing a WhatsApp customer support service during disruption.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/gtr/pressreleases/embargoed-to-00-01-hours-18-june-2026-thameslink-ps3-dot-6m-refresh-leaves-trains-gleaming-3454759

Ahead of Clean Air Day on Thursday 18 June, Greater #Thameslink #Railway (GTR) is urging motorists to follow new ‘No idling’ signs at stations and car parks.

GTR’s Head of Environment and Sustainability Jason Brooker said drivers waiting to collect passengers should switch off engines to protect health and reduce emissions.

Vehicle exhausts release pollutants linked to poor air quality and respiratory problems, as well as carbon emissions contributing to climate change.

As part of its Sustainability Strategy, GTR has introduced a staff ‘No Idling Policy’, requiring company vehicles to avoid running engines while stationary for more than one minute without a valid reason.

Data showed GTR road fleet vehicles idled for 14% of operating time during March and April, producing more than four tonnes of CO₂.

The operator is also working with Imperial College #London on air quality awareness and has installed more than 30 EV charging points at station car parks.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/gtr/pressreleases/clean-air-policy-is-no-idle-concept-3454694

Rail passengers face major disruption between #Bedford and #London over the weekends of 20–21 and 27–28 June as Network Rail carries out upgrades on the southern Midland Main Line.

Work includes track renewals at Hendon and Belsize Tunnel, upgrades to switches and crossings at West Hampstead, drainage improvements in Bedfordshire, junction works at Radlett Strategic Freight Interchange, and accessibility improvements at Luton station.

East Midlands Railway services from Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and Corby will terminate at Bedford, with replacement buses linking passengers to alternative services. #Thameslink services between Bedford and London will not run, with buses operating on several routes including Bedford–Luton and Luton–London.

Passengers are advised to check before travelling, allow extra time and expect amended timetables, replacement buses and alternative travel arrangements across the network.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/rail-upgrades-mean-no-trains-between-bedford-and-london-over-two-weekends

Southern, #Thameslink and Great Northern have completed a range of station improvements as part of a £3.4 million investment programme across #London, the South East and parts of #Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. More than £1.7 million was spent in the past year on 60 projects, with a further £1.7 million secured for 2026/27. Upgrades include new information screens, improved seating, #accessibility enhancements, station refurbishments, safer #cycle storage and CCTV improvements. Interactive screens have been installed at key stations, while new cycle hubs have opened at Arlesey and Chichester. The programme, funded by the Department for Transport, also includes detailed 3D station #maps to help passengers plan journeys. Future schemes include additional accessibility improvements, more information screens, new waiting shelters and expanded 3D mapping across the network.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/gtr/pressreleases/small-station-improvements-mark-big-ps3-dot-4m-investment-to-improve-train-journeys-3452572

#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release:
🗺️🚇 The next Summer 2026 pocket tube map is scheduled to launch on 6 July 2026, featuring new cover artwork by Ellen Gallagher. #TfL confirmed that the physical maps will continue to feature two reverse-side variants, displaying advertisements for TfL Go and Santander Cycles.

Following the conclusion of the IFS Cloud sponsorship, the network's cable car service will now be officially referred to simply as the 'London Cable Car', with no new network-wide commercial sponsor identified to replicate previous corporate branding deals.

Furthermore, TfL stated that no final decisions have been made regarding the release timeline for the subsequent winter edition of the map. Decisions also remain pending on whether #Thameslink services will continue to be visualised on the map, or if additional routes will be incorporated following the transition of Govia Thameslink Railway services into government control.
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-0584-2627

Passengers using #London St Pancras are being advised that the two lifts serving the #Thameslink platforms will be closed from 15 June until mid-September for a major refurbishment aimed at improving reliability and reducing future breakdowns.

During the works, there will be no step-free access to or from the Thameslink platforms at St Pancras. Passengers able to use stairs or escalators will still be able to access the platforms, while station staff will provide assistance where needed.

Passengers who require step-free access, including wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility, are advised to use alternative routes and stations, particularly Farringdon, where they can interchange between Thameslink and London #Underground services. Additional staff will be available throughout the closure to help customers and provide journey planning support.

The refurbishment forms part of wider improvements to accessibility and reliability at the station.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/london-st-pancras-lifts-shut-next-week-for-major-refurbishment

Network Rail has begun a major signalling and power upgrade on the central #London #Thameslink route to improve reliability. The "core" section between London St Pancras International and Blackfriars is one of the UK’s busiest rail links, meaning minor faults often cause widespread disruption.

Engineers are installing a backup "dual detection" train monitoring system between Blackfriars and Farringdon, combining existing track circuits with new axle counters. This ensures trains can keep moving if one system fails. Additionally, the 20MW electrical substation between City Thameslink and Blackfriars—the largest on the 750V third-rail network—is being replaced, and thermal imaging cameras are being fitted to trains to spot faults early.

The project requires weekend track closures on 13–14 and 20–21 June, with services suspended through central London. Testing takes place this autumn ahead of full commissioning by the end of 2026.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/gtr/pressreleases/major-upgrade-to-improve-reliability-for-passengers-under-way-on-thameslink-route-through-central-london-3452728

From gardening to women’s safety – Train company hands out grants worth £300k to community projects across Beds, Herts and Cambs https://www.allforgardening.com/1799359/from-gardening-to-womens-safety-train-company-hands-out-grants-worth-300k-to-community-projects-across-beds-herts-and-cambs/ #garden #gardening #GreatNorthern #Thameslink

🚄🇬🇧 From 31 May 2026, rail services run by GTR under the #Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and Gatwick Express brands have transferred into public ownership and are now managed by DfT Operator Ltd (DFTO).

DFTO, the government’s rail owning group, is leading the transfer of Department for Transport-managed and privately operated train companies into public ownership ahead of the creation of Great #British #Railways (GBR).

With GTR’s transfer, around 80% of the passenger rail journeys that GBR is expected to oversee are now provided by publicly owned operators managed by DFTO. The government says public ownership will support closer working between train operators and Network Rail, with the aim of improving performance and customer experience while maintaining a focus on safety, sustainability and value for money.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gtr-services-transferred-to-public-ownership

🚄🇬🇧✨ The first Great #British #Railways (GBR) branded train has been unveiled in #Brighton ahead of Govia #Thameslink #Railway (GTR) entering public ownership on 31 May. The red, white and blue livery will gradually appear across England’s rail network as the Government moves towards a single publicly owned railway under GBR.

GTR, which operates Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and #Gatwick Express, is Britain’s largest train operator. Its transfer means more than 11,000 publicly owned services will run each weekday. Ministers say the reforms aim to reduce fragmentation, improve reliability and simplify ticketing, including through a future GBR app.

The #UK Government says publicly owned operators are performing better on punctuality and cancellations on average, while passengers are also benefiting from frozen rail fares. The full transition to public ownership is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/full-steam-ahead-for-great-british-railways-as-first-branded-train-unveiled