New Southeastern timetables to be rolled out

Southeastern said it provided more than 135 million journeys in 2024

New rail timetables and newer trains are set to be rolled out for customers in Kent and London.

Southeastern, which also runs services to East Sussex, said from 18 May it would be introducing the new timetable, which it hoped would support further growth and space for an extra 10 million customer journeys during the next 12 months.

Scott Brightwell, Southeastern's operations and safety director, said: "Our railway is growing. The changes we're introducing this May will deliver more space where it's needed most and newer, more comfortable air-conditioned trains.

"We're also working to improve on-time running and reliability to keep cancellations among the lowest in the country."

More connections are being added for the stations between Ashford International and Maidstone East to Charing Cross, and there will be more calls at East Malling and Barming stations in the late afternoon and early evening to meet increasing demand.

More carriages are also being added to key peak services including the 05:46 Dover Priory to London Victoria, 07:02 Ramsgate to Cannon Street and 07:50 Sevenoaks to Charing Cross.

In east Kent, there will be additional stops at Thanet Parkway on trains to and from Dover Priory to improve connectivity to Canterbury West, said Southeastern.

The May timetable will also include longer trains during the summer, providing more space for customers travelling to stations including Whitstable, Margate and Broadstairs.

The operator said it provided more than 135 million journeys in 2024, a 7% increase compared with 2023, and a 19% increase compared with 2022.