South Western Railway has announced changes to its timetable as Britain continues to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown.
The train operator will re-introduce some services from Monday 7th September. Frequency on some routes will also be increased along with increasing capacity during peak travel times to help social distancing.
On weekdays, additional trains will be introduced on the West of England line, which will include a direct train from London Waterloo and Exeter.
Direct trains between London Waterloo and Weymouth will be re-introduced, with one train an hour running – these will replace the shuttle service currently in operation between Bournemouth and London Waterloo, and between Bournemouth and Weymouth.
Additionally, during the morning peak, additional trains will operate on some routes, with trains running with extra carriages.
Train services will also return to near-normal level on weekends; however, some alternations may apply, and engineering work may affect some journeys.
This announcement by South Western Railway will bring the operator's capacity up by around 20%.
Mike Houghton, Chief Operating Officer, at South Western Railway, said, “We've been working hard to keep our region moving throughout coronavirus, and we continue to do so.
“This timetable change will increase capacity and help maintain social distancing as schools reopen, and more people return to work.
“So everyone can travel safe, we need our customers to help. Whether you're returning to work, sending the kids to school, or having a day out with the family, make sure you follow the latest travel guidance.”
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South Western Railway shouldn’t get rid of the Class 458/5s because they could be used on the Alton service and Basingstoke stopper. And to add 1st Class onto the Class 458/5.
Or perhaps cascade them to Southern to operate on the suburban services that Class 455s are currently being operated on and therefore to replace the Class 455. And to use the Class 458s on the East Coastway Line, Seaford Branch Line, Bognor Regis Branch Line, Littlehampton Branch Line and West Coastway Line services where the Class 313 “Coastway” units are currently operated on and therefore to replace the Class 313.
And South Western Railway are replacing the Class 455, Class 456, Class 458 and Class 707 units once the Class 701 “Arterio” are in service. That are to work on the Southwest London suburban services and the Windsor & Eton and Reading routes.
Why not retain the Class 458/5 units for the Alton service and other services including Basingstoke stopper. And of course Class 707s cascaded to Southeastern to increase capacity on their suburban services in Southeast London.
You’ll be waiting a long time for the 701’s.
There are many issues with the cab and its layout, plus emergency egress from the cab (the door doesn’t meet with the legal standards) that ASLEF will not sanction.
If they move the driver’s seat, many will not be able to get into it and sit down to drive. An ill conceived and designed train.
Also no training has been scheduled for any of these units either.