Latest news with #trainlink
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
English beach resort town is getting direct train line to UK's capital again in ‘huge victory'
A RAIL service between a popular beach resort town and London is being brought back this year. Govia Thameslink Railway halted its direct train link between the coastal town and the capital during the Covid pandemic. 2 2 But the rail operator has announced that direct trains will run between Eastbourne, Lewes and London Bridge once again from December. A direct service will run in the morning and return to the seaside town in the evening. It will run from Monday to Thursday, and the operator said it would make commutes to London "much easier". Prior to this, Eastbourne only had direct trains to London Victoria. A 'HUGE VICTORY ' The news comes following calls from passengers to reinstate the transport link. The town's MP Josh Babarinde was part of the campaign to restore the service. He previously took a giant ticket-shaped petition to the town's train station while campaigning. The MP called the link's restoration a "huge victory" that would have a "positive impact" on the town. He said: "After months of campaigning including writing to rail bosses, pressing Ministers in the House of Commons, and gathering thousands of signatures from Eastbournians, I'm delighted that we've managed to restore our direct London Bridge rail service." "I look forward to seeing commuters on 15 December for the first journey up to London Bridge," he added. Picturesque English town is getting new £27m train line for first time in 60 years – & will cut journey times by an hour RESTORED SERVICE The operator has said the Covid pandemic had a "devastating impact" on the rail industry. Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said: "The pandemic had a devastating impact on everyone, not least the rail industry, and our weekday commuter numbers are still reduced but recovering. "We're doing everything we can to encourage people back to rail, which is the most sustainable form of public transport. "The innovative new timetable we introduced along the east coastway two years ago did just that, boosting passenger numbers by giving people better services and easier connections. "We think this timetable improvement will build on that success and are pleased to have worked with local stakeholders to make the case for its introduction." The restored service will depart Eastbourne at 6:48am and arrive at London Bridge for 8:25am. In the evening, it will start back from the capital at 5.03pm and reach Eastbourne for 6.34pm.
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
London To Switzerland Via A Direct Train By 2030
Swiss train in Geneva, Switzerland. Imagine taking a train from London to Geneva, a direct rail link that would transport you between these cities in five hours via the Channel Tunnel. That's the intention behind a recently signed memorandum of understanding between the UK and Switzerland, a significant first step in making this rail link a reality. This has been announced as Europe is in the midst of a rail boom, thanks to new high-speed trains, overnight sleeper trains, and environmental concerns. 'A direct rail link between the UK and Switzerland has the potential to boost tourism, grow our economy and bring people closer together – all while offering a greener option for passengers.' The current rail trip between London and Geneva takes about seven and a half hours, traveling on the Eurostar train from London to Paris, changing trains (and often requiring that you change train stations), and continuing to Geneva. While you can fly that same route in about an hour and 40 minutes, Europe is making a concerted effort across the continent to boost train ridership and reduce carbon emissions from short-haul flights. This proposal also promises greater convenience. The London to Geneva route would run from city center to city center, eliminating the need to travel to and from airports. Considering you must arrive about two hours before a flight for a security clearance, the time difference between taking the new train and flying would be pretty competitive. It would also be a lot greener and far more comfortable. Eurostar at station in London, United Kingdom. Heidi Alexander, the UK's Secretary of State for Transport, met with Albert Rösti, Switzerland's Federal Councilor and head of the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, on May 9, 2025, to sign the memorandum of understanding. 'This is an exciting and important milestone in our efforts to strengthen international rail connections and promote greener travel to Europe,' Alexander said in a press release. 'A direct rail link between the UK and Switzerland has the potential to boost tourism, grow our economy and bring people closer together – all while offering a greener option for passengers.' 'A direct rail connection between Switzerland and the United Kingdom is an ambitious goal.' Rösti of Switzerland said, in the same release, that 'A direct rail connection between Switzerland and the United Kingdom is an ambitious goal. With today's memorandum of understanding, we are establishing the basis to jointly examine concrete next steps. Such a connection would send a strong signal for international public transport.' There are, of course, lots of hurdles before this train becomes a reality. The two countries have agreed to deal with a variety of logistical issues, which include security and border controls. While Switzerland is part of the Schengen Agreement, which abolished most internal border checks between European countries, England is not. Switzerland would have to set up security checkpoints at rail stations in Geneva, as well as Zurich and Basel, which are expected to eventually be part of the route. St Pancras International Station, London Eurostar already allows passengers to book a single ticket from London to several Swiss cities, including Geneva, Zurich, and Lausanne. These journeys still require changing trains in Paris, yet they indicate the move towards a better alignment of various independent European rail systems. The inauguration of the London to Switzerland direct train route would also benefit the Channel Tunnel, which is estimated to be operating at less than half its current capacity. This proposed rail expansion is just the tip of the iceberg. Eurostar has outlined plans to extend travel from London's St. Pancras International Station to other new routes to cities such as Milan and Frankfurt. The earliest estimate for the direct UK-Switzerland train to begin running is 2030.
