GWR trials Reading to Gatwick night trains

Great Western Railway (GWR) is trialling new overnight services to Gatwick Airport from 6 June, testing demand for early-morning and late-night connectivity between the Thames Valley and the UK’s second-busiest airport.

The 12-week trial will operate two services from Reading to Gatwick and three return services every Saturday morning, plus one service from Reading and two from Gatwick every Monday morning.

Currently, GWR services only run between 04:30 and 23:30, meaning passengers with early departures or late arrivals, over 20 per cent of Gatwick’s daily traffic, are not able to reach the airport by rail from the west. The trial services will connect with flights from major airlines, including easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways.

Calling at Reading, Wokingham, Guildford, Dorking Deepdene, Reigate, Redhill and Gatwick, the services will benefit airline passengers and shift workers travelling along the route.

Mark Hopwood, managing Director, Great Western Railway, said:

“This trial allows us to test demand for extended operating hours to Gatwick and gather real-world data on how passengers use these services. Improving sustainable connectivity to airports is important to support the growth in air travel and we’re pleased to work with Gatwick Airport and Network Rail to explore what’s possible.”The trial will help us understand whether overnight services can operate and perform commercially on this route. We’ll monitor performance closely and will review feedback before considering options to improve services in the future.”

Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer, London Gatwick said:

“We’re delighted to work in partnership with Great Western Railway to introduce these new overnight services, which will make travelling to and from London Gatwick even easier for both passengers catching early flights and staff working at the airport.

“Strengthening sustainable, reliable public transport links is vital as our route network grows, and this trial represents a significant step in improving choice and convenience for our passengers across the region.”

Matt Rodda, MP for Reading Central, said:

“I am pleased to hear about the trial and look forward to seeing how it will help make it easier to travel to Gatwick for early flights

“Improvements to our transport links can make a significant difference for residents and help create new jobs and economic growth.”

Tom McNamee, Infrastructure director, speaking on behalf of Network Rail, said:

“Over the past 4 years, Network Rail has invested £50 million into improving the signalling on the North Downs Line. This signalling upgrade, modernising and improving safety on this important stretch of line, will now also benefit Great Western Railway’s next steps towards introducing night-time services. By having these services running through the night, we can better serve the Gatwick Airport community with a more sustainable way to access London’s second busiest airport.”

The trains will operate at the following times:

• Saturdays departing Reading 0228   0330
• Saturdays departing Gatwick Airport 0030   0124   0400
• Mondays departing Reading 0324
• Mondays departing Gatwick Airport 0024   0400