Elizabeth line set to open on 24 May 2022

Credit: Transport for London

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the Elizabeth line will be opening on 24 May 2022, subject to final safety approvals. The new line will transform travel across London and the southeast by dramatically improving transport links, cutting journey times, providing additional capacity and transforming accessibility with spacious new stations and walk-through trains.

Initially, the Elizabeth line will operate as three separate railways, with services from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield connecting with the central tunnels from autumn 2022. The line will operate 12 trains per hour between Paddington and Abbey Wood from Monday to Saturday, 06:30 to 23:00.

Engineering work will continue through the nights and on Sundays, with testing and software updates to allow for more intensive services in Autumn 2022, when 22 trains an hour are planned to run at peak times in central London.

In the coming weeks, Elizabeth line signage will continue to be uncovered across the network in preparation for the start of customer service, and all services currently operating as TfL Rail – between Reading and Heathrow to Paddington and Shenfield to Liverpool Street – will be rebranded to the Elizabeth line. The updated Tube and Rail map will also be released later showing the new central section stations connected with the rest of the TfL network for the first time.

Elizabeth line’s Canary Wharf station transferred to Transport for London

Crucial to London’s recovery from the pandemic, the new line will help avoid a car-led recovery by providing new journey options, supporting regeneration across the capital and adding an estimated £42 billion to the UK economy.

In addition, all Elizabeth line stations will be staffed from the first to last train, with a ‘turn up and go’ service offered to anyone needing assistance. Step-free access is in place from street to train across all Elizabeth line stations between Paddington and Woolwich.

Andy Byford, TfL’s Commissioner, said: “I am delighted that we can now announce a date for the opening of the Elizabeth line in May. We are using these final few weeks to continue to build up reliability on the railway and get the Elizabeth line ready to welcome customers. The opening day is set to be a truly historic moment for the capital and the UK, and we look forward to showcasing a simply stunning addition to our network.”

Bond Street Elizabeth line station will not be opening with the other stations at the end of May, due to ongoing construction work. According to TfL, the station continues to make good progress and the team at Bond Street are working hard to open the station to customers in late 2022. Bus services will also be changed in East London to better connect with the new stations.