About the Thameslink Programme

Passengers shouldn't be treated like sardines!

Being crushed in the rush hour is one of passengers' biggest complaints on the Thameslink route and with train travel becoming increasingly popular it's not going to get any better. Here's what you've been telling First Capital Connect.

"I stopped travelling on the Thameslink route because I could not bear the conditions when travelling with people packed like sardines."

"Peak hour trains are full of standing passengers. Why not add another train?"

First Capital Connect has done everything possible since the start of its franchise to reduce overcrowding, searching high and low for extra trains; increasing the length of all those trains that it can and fine-tuning timetables. It also has more trains coming into service in 2009 - but this isn't enough.

The solution

Now, with government funding for the Thameslink Programme to the tune of £5.5 billion, there is the opportunity to make the fundamental, far-reaching changes. It will transform the Thameslink route, providing more frequent, longer, brand new trains and big improvements to three central London stations.

What you’ll like about the Thameslink Programme

More capacity
You’re more likely to get a seat with longer and more frequent trains. The Programme will double capacity on one of Europe's busiest stretches of railway - the core route through central London - benefiting tens of thousands of passengers daily.

- Longer trains: the maximum length of trains will increase from 8 to 12 between 2011 and 2016.

- More trains per hour in central London: there will be the capability for up to 24 trains per hour when it's busiest from December 2016 (that's one every 2-3 minutes).

Better stations
Passengers at Blackfriars, Farringdon and many other stations on the Thameslink route will see major improvements by 2012. London Bridge station will be redeveloped by the end of 2016.

More destinations
There’ll be many more cross-London destinations you can reach without having to change trains by the end of 2016. For example, the current First Capital Connect Great Northern route will be linked to the Thameslink route at St Pancras International.

New trains
Most if not all trains on the Thameslink route will be brand new and built to First Capital Connect specifications, by the end of 2016. Some of these new trains are planned to start in service in 2014. Find out more.

Quicker journeys
Although it’s not our main goal, many journeys will be quicker, with more trains per hour to more destinations with fewer changes.

What’s involved?
A large part of the £5.5bn will be spent on new rolling stock and track improvement work. But the most obvious changes will be to key central London stations – some of which will be completely redeveloped.

Blackfriars
A brand new station will be built by 2012, able to handle 12-carriage trains from December 2011 and many more trains per hour. It will be the first London station to span the Thames, with a new entrance on the South Bank providing better access to Tate Modern. Blackfriars Tube station will also be improved.

Farringdon

By 2012, Farringdon will be a modern, spacious station with two new entrances, a new concourse and platform footbridge, improved Tube access and longer, covered platforms that will be able to take 12-carriage Thameslink route trains. It will be fully accessible for people with buggies, heavy luggage or disabilities.

Moorgate Thameslink route branch and Barbican
In March 2009, First Capital Connect's Thameslink route trains stopped serving Moorgate and Barbican (see Take a deep breath. We can't stop at Barbican and Moorgate any more). Find out why and what you can do.

London Bridge
Exciting plans for a redeveloped, modern station and track layout will start to take shape after the London Olympics in 2012, to be completed by the end of 2016. The station will stay open throughout extensive building work, which will allow for an extra 50% capacity at peak times.

How long do you have to wait?
Thameslink route passengers between Bedford, London and Brighton will be the first to catch longer, 12-carriage trains, from December 2011. These will be formed of existing rolling stock. The new generation of trains being specially built for the Thameslink route will start coming into service in 2014.

What could cause you hassle

This is in the short term

• Blackfriars is being rebuilt while trains continue to serve the station as normal. Expect congestion.
• Blackfriars Tube station is closed until late 2011.
• Thameslink route trains no longer run to Barbican or Moorgate (although Moorgate will still serve Great Northern trains).
• Congestion at Farringdon station due to building work has worsened with the closure of the branch line to Barbican and Moorgate; you may want to allow more time or avoid the station altogether.
• You'll always be able to get into London but the Thameslink route between St Pancras International and London Bridge is closed overnight and most weekends into 2012.