09 September 2023 , 10:05
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The brand-new Elizabeth line has seen more cancellations than any other in the country seeing significant numbers of delays and cancellations in just one month.
In total, for four weeks in August, just countless services on the Elizabeth line did not run. Precisely, 9.1% of services on the Elizabeth line were out of service in the run up to 19 August, followed by CrossCountry at 7.5%. Overall cancellations rose to 3.9% from 3.3% in the previous four weeks. Last week, it was revealed almost half of trains arrived at least a minute late. Transport for London (TfL) apologised for a "number of recent issues".
This news comes just months after the Elizabeth which links Reading and Essex via central London, fully opened in May. According to TfL, up to 24 trains an hour are expected to run at the busiest times between Paddington and Whitechapel.
The Elizabeth which links Reading and Essex via central London, fully opened in May (Getty Images)Commuters have complained this year of multiple of their journeys being disrupted and cancelled on the line. Howard Smith, Elizabeth Line director, said: "The Elizabeth line has rightly and quickly become one of the most popular railways in the country. It has also been one of the most reliable, but we have had a difficult period which included disruption for our customers for which we apologise.
''There were a number of recent issues including significant problems with Network Rail's signalling systems and infrastructure on the western section, and a defective maintenance train. We continue to work with all parties involved in the Elizabeth line to provide a safe and reliable railway. This includes our partners, such as Network Rail, and a programme of upgrades delivered by the train manufacturer, Alstom, will further improve reliability of our fleet of trains."
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P-coded cancellations were included in the overall figure for England, Wales and Scotland, the total number of cancelled trains shot up to 4.6%, up from 3.7% in the previous period. P-coding means services axed up to 22:00 BST the night before, meaning trains in effect disappear from the overnight timetable and so do not show up in on-the-day cancellation statistics.
Northern Trains, run by the government's Operator Last Resort, had the highest number of P-coded cancellations due to train crew shortages. It recorded 2,064 in and 56 where part of the journey was cancelled. Long delayed and well over budget, the Elizabeth Line - also known as Crossrail - has been the subject of much criticism over the years, but it is expected to boost the capital’s train capacity by 10%.
A journey from Paddington to Canary Wharf takes just 8 minutes when the new line is up and running. But what exactly is the Elizabeth Line. The Elizabeth Line, or Crossrail, is a new passenger railway service connecting central London with some of its surrounding areas.