Greater Anglia December 2023 timetable improvements include an all-day, 15-minute frequency for Stansted Express services

September 15, 2023

Greater Anglia is to return to an all day, four trains per hour Stansted Express service, seven days a week from December 2023, as it continues to increase train services and improve timetables in line with recovering customer demand after the pandemic.

After reintroducing a weekday, peak time, four trains per hour frequency for Stansted Express services in May this year, airport passenger numbers have continued to increase, so the “every 15 minutes” frequency will be restored during off peak periods and at weekends from Sunday 10 December. As a result, the Stansted Express service will then be as follows:

Monday to Saturdays

London Liverpool Street depart: 03.40, 04.10, 04.40, 05.10, then every 15 minutes to 22.55, then 23.25

Stansted Airport depart: 05.30, 06.00, then every 15 minutes to 23.59, then 00.30

Sundays

London Liverpool Street depart: 04.10, 04.40, 05.10, 05.40, 06.10, then every 15 minutes to 22.55, then 23.25

Stansted Airport depart: 05.30, 06.00, 06.30, 07.00, then every 15 minutes to 23.59, then 00.30

Off peak journey times will also be slightly quicker, with most services scheduled for 47 minutes, as Greater Anglia is able to take full advantage of now operating new trains, with improved performance capabilities, on all its services.

Other improvements from the December will include :

• An additional 07.25 weekday morning peak service from Ipswich to London Liverpool Street, calling at Manningtree, Colchester and Chelmsford, Stratford and London Liverpool Street
• An additional 19.05 weekday evening peak service from London Liverpool Street to Braintree, calling at Stratford, Shenfield, Chelmsford, Witham and then all stations to Braintree
• Additional carriages (up from 5 to 10) on the 18.05 from London Liverpool Street to Braintree, which calls at Stratford, Shenfield, Ingatestone, Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel, Witham and then all stations to Braintree

The service improvements are designed to both support the ongoing recovery in passenger numbers and reflect the emerging travel patterns across the Greater Anglia (GA) network, as well as take advantage of the new trains now operating on all GA services.

Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Greater Anglia said: “We’re pleased to be providing 4 trains per hour to Stansted Airport all day, seven days a week again, from our December timetable change, benefitting air travellers and commuters alike, as well as some other peak time improvements reflecting increases in passenger numbers.

“With new trains right across our network, we are transforming rail travel in our region, offering an excellent travel experience, more seats, and a more punctual and reliable service. We’ll continue to adjust our timetable in line with emerging demand and look to make further improvements where practical and appropriate.”

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP said: “I very much welcome the return of an all day, 15 minute frequency on the Stansted Express from December. Greater Anglia is rightly responding to increasing demand, ensuring that this crucial link for customers and communities provides a convenient, high quality option for travellers.

“With new trains also enabling a reduction in journey times, it shows the UK is focused on offering excellent connections for both domestic and international journeys, supporting both economic growth and leisure travel.”

Gareth Powell, Managing Director, Stansted Airport said: “London Stansted has been the fastest recovering major UK airport with passenger numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the last two months.

“We therefore welcome the upcoming reintroduction of the full four trains per hour schedule, as it’s a vital service for the millions of passengers who rely on a convenient and reliable service between London and the airport each year.

“A regular, turn-up-and-go service will not only encourage more passengers back onto trains and out of private cars to enable the most sustainable growth possible at the airport, and cement our position as the number one airport in the UK for public transport use by passengers, but it will also support our on-going work to attract more airlines looking to access the UK and London aviation market.

“This is really positive news for passengers, staff and local commuters, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Greater Anglia to develop further timetable enhancements and service improvements.’