A new overnight train to and from one of Britain’s biggest airports is to begin later this year, in a boost to holidaymakers. Great Western Railway (GWR) has confirmed it will start trialling the new services between Reading and Gatwick Airport from June 6.
Gatwick is the UK’s second-busiest airport and is served by a number of major airlines, including easyJet, British Airways, Jet2, Ryanair, Emirates and TUI. GWR’s managing director Mark Hopwood said the 12-week pilot will allow the train operator to “test demand” for early-morning and late-night services. “The trial will help us understand whether overnight services can work operationally and commercially on this route,” he said, adding that the extra trains will help improve sustainable travel to the West Sussex airport.
Currently, GWR services only run between 04:30 and 23:30, meaning more than 20% of Gatwick’s daily passengers cannot use rail services through the Thames Valley.
The trial will see two services from Reading to Gatwick and three return services every Saturday morning.
There will also be a service from Reading and two from Gatwick every Monday morning, GWR confirmed.
As well as Reading and Gatwick, the trains will stop at Wokingham, Guildford, Dorking Deepdene, Reigate and Redhill.
It is expected that the new services will also benefit shift workers and airport staff, in addition to holidaymakers.
Jonathan Pollard, Gatwick’s chief commercial officer, said: “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.”
Gatwick welcomed 42.8 million passengers last year, with easyJet flying the most travellers (18.9 million).
According to its website, Gatwick is the UK’s best-connected airport by train and has direct connections to more stations than any other European airport.
As part of the trial, the trains are set to operate at the following times:
Mondays departing Reading – 0324
Mondays departing Gatwick Airport – 0024, 0400
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