DfT lauds reduced journey times and lower fares

The Department for Transport and Great Western Railway highlighted the reduced journey times and lower fares made possible by the Elizabeth line.

A DfT statement said thousands of commuters across London will see their “travel costs reduced by over a third and journey times massively reduced”.

It noted journey times from Abbey Wood to Paddington are cut from 58 to 29 minutes, while ticket prices drop by more than a third (£6.30 to £4.30) - saving passengers money at a time when costs are rising, while hopefully facilitating long-term economic growth.

And with each train carrying up to 1,500 passengers, the Elizabeth line increases central London’s rail capacity by 10% and better connects local communities to the centre of London.

GWR also highlighted the improved journey times and fare reductions. It said commuters will be able to travel from London Paddington to Canary Wharf in just 17 minutes, halving the previous journey time. It means the capital’s central business hub will be within an hour’s reach of Reading and under 90 minutes from Oxford and Swindon.

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood described the Elizabeth line as a “game changer” for passengers travelling into the heart of London. He said the opening was “a really exciting step for the whole industry”, adding that 81% of GWR’s passengers then take an onward journey elsewhere in London.

With the line open, passengers can travel from Paddington to Tottenham Court Road in just five minutes (compared with 14 minutes previously), Liverpool Street in 11 minutes (previously 25), and Abbey Wood in 29 minutes (previously 61).