Services between London Paddington and Reading are now operated by TfL Rail which is the next step in the opening of the Elizabeth line.
Under TfL Rail, customers will now benefit from improvements to their stations including new customer information services and new lifts. These will be implemented in the new year.
On the service, Freedom Pass holders will enjoy free travel all the way to Reading, with families also benefitting from free travel for children under the age of 11 when they’re accompanied by a paying adult.
Customers at stations Iver and Taplow will now also have a train service on Sunday, with two trains running to London per hour.
All TfL Rail stations are staffed from first to last train, providing a turn-up-and-go service for disabled customers and a point of contact for anyone needing assistance. Stations throughout the route are being made more comfortable and accessible. New benches and shelters in waiting areas are being put in alongside new electronic signage providing real-time travel information for customers.
Numerous stations will also be fitted with improved CCTV and lighting, making it a safer environment in and around the stations. Several ticket offices are also being refurbished, with many stations including Iver and Hayes & Harlington due to have completely new ticket halls and offices.
A lift has been installed at Burnham station with lifts at Taplow to making them step-free from street to platform.
Other stations which are set to be step free by 2020 are Hanwell, Iver, Langley, Action Main Line, Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Southall, Hayes & Harlington and West Drayton.
Operations Director for TfL Rail, Howard Smith, said: “I’m excited to welcome customers on the London Paddington to Reading line to TfL Rail. This is an important step towards opening the Elizabeth line. Customers will notice continual improvements along their route including a new service at Iver and Taplow and improved accessibility at several stations with lifts being installed to provide step-free access from street to platform.”
