In the early morning of New Year's Day, Sunday, 1st January, South Western Railway (SWR) is to run 21 extra train services from London Waterloo.
The extra services are to allow people to enjoy New Year's Eve festivities in the capital, including the first New Year's Eve fireworks since 2019, and still get home afterward.
The extra services will run to Basingstoke, Guildford, Kingston, Reading, Staines, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, and Woking. Customers should check journey planners in advance for further information, as not all trains will call at the same stations.
The 21 extra services from London Waterloo will start running from 0030 on Sunday, 1st January, with the 21st and final service leaving at 0315.
On New Year's Eve, Saturday, 31st December, because of industrial action by the RMT union, a limited timetable will be in operation, with services into London Waterloo ending by 2200 and some London-bound trains departing much earlier.
Claire Mann, Managing Director, South Western Railway, said: “We're very pleased to confirm these limited, extra services for our customers. It's been three years since the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks in London and we know just how important this occasion will be.
“Anticipating the demand for this special occasion, we've worked hard to ensure as many customers as possible can take part in the festivities. We're advising customers looking to travel on these extra services to check both parts of their journey carefully. These services will be very busy after the fireworks and we're working with Transport for London and British Transport Police on a queueing system at London Waterloo.
“As per our amended timetable, services into London Waterloo will end by 2200, but some of those trains will start their journeys a lot earlier. After 2200 there will be a gap of two and a half hours before the first of the extra trains out of London Waterloo, with the last leaving at 0315. Please do check carefully and if you're travelling, we hope you enjoy the festivities.”
And Class 701 Arterios are planned to enter service from early next year.