From Sunday 6 November, the rail lines from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield will be connected to the Elizabeth line’s existing tunnels.
This will allow customers travelling from Reading and Heathrow to go directly to Abbey Wood without changing at Paddington. Commuters coming from Shenfield will be able to get to Paddington without switching at Liverpool Street.
Transport for London (TfL) claims the integration of the Elizabeth line service will bring a range of benefits, including reduced journey times, as well as greater capacity and accessibility.
People landing at Heathrow Airport should be able to travel straight through to central London in less than an hour, with some services taking as little at 36 minutes.
Customers will be able to use the Elizabeth line seven days a week, with Sunday services also opening from Sunday 6 November.
The frequency of services between Paddington and Whitechapel will increase to up to 22 trains per hour in peak periods and 16 trains per hour during off-peak. The final timetable for this service will consist of 24 trains per hour during the peak times, which TfL expects to be operational by May 2023.
Bond Street Elizabeth line station is expected to open ahead of these new services, with step-free access.
From Monday 5 September, the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Abbey Wood will operate for longer hours from around 5:30am to around 11pm.
Andy Byford, London’s transport commissioner, said: “When we delivered on our promise to open the central section of the Elizabeth line in the first half of this year, I further promised that Bond Street station would open this autumn and that the next phase of the line opening would also be achieved within that timeframe.
“I am excited to see the Elizabeth line unlock quicker and better journey options, greater accessibility, and further connectivity to jobs and leisure for even more people.
“This will be another giant leap for London’s public transport system, which supports economic growth in the capital and right across the country.”
Since the Elizabeth line opened on 24 May 2022, TfL reports that more than 11 million journeys have been made between Paddington and Abbey Wood, equalling more than 200,000 daily trips.
