Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Govia Thameslink Railway, encompassing Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express, advises passengers to plan ahead for Christmas and New Year travel due to a seasonal timetable and planned engineering work by Network Rail. Notable changes include no trains between Havant and Southampton from Dec 24 to Dec 29, affecting several Southern and some Thameslink services in South London. Services finish early on Christmas Eve, with no trains on Christmas Day, but a special Southern service runs on Boxing Day.
GTR’s Customer Services Director, Jenny Saunders, acknowledges collaboration with Network Rail to provide a comprehensive service during the festive period, expressing gratitude for passengers’ understanding. She urges travelers to check journeys, particularly during the busy week before Christmas, and allocate extra time, especially with early service closures and replacement buses.
Summary of Service Changes:
Sunday 24 December (Christmas Eve):
Engineering work in the Southampton area diverts services between Brighton and Southampton to run between Brighton and Fratton. Replacement buses run between Havant and Southampton.
Major engineering work north of London affects some Thameslink services with a normal Sunday service until 5.00 pm, followed by a gradual close-down.
Monday 25 December (Christmas Day):
No Southern, Thameslink, or Gatwick Express services.
Tuesday 26 December (Boxing Day):
Special Boxing Day service with varying frequencies between London Victoria, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges, Brighton, Sutton, and East Croydon.
Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 December:
Services between London Victoria and Southampton diverted to run between Victoria and Fratton; Brighton to Southampton services diverted to run between Brighton and Fratton. Replacement buses run between Havant and Southampton.
Engineering work in the Norwood area prompts bus replacements, reduced services, and amended timetables on various routes.
Friday 29 December:
Similar to Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 December.
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 December:
Normal Southern and Gatwick Express services operate.
Some Thameslink services run to an amended timetable, with an overnight service between Three Bridges and Bedford on Sunday.
Monday 1 January 2024:
A Sunday service operates on Southern and Gatwick Express.
Some Thameslink services run to an amended timetable, with a normal service on all other Thameslink routes and an overnight service between Three Bridges and Bedford.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
