The Elizabeth Line is set to run a "special service" the day before the Queen's funeral. The service, which is named after the late monarch, will put on extra services to cope with additional passengers expected in the capital.
The Queen's funeral will take place on Monday, September 19 and has been declared a bank holiday by King Charles. Despite it being a bank holiday London Underground services will run as normal.
But the Elizabeth Line will actually be running more services on Sunday, September 18 to "provide further transport options for customers". This will see 12 trains running per hour on the central section of the line, which runs from Paddington to Abbey Wood.
Andy Byford, London’s transport commissioner, said: “At such an important and difficult time for the country, we are doing everything we can to ensure Londoners and visitors can pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen and welcome His Majesty the King. We are working with our partners to keep our city moving smoothly and to ensure that everyone who needs to get around or is planning to attend the memorial events can do so safely.
"I would urge all customers to check before they travel, using the TfL website or TfL Go app, as while we’re planning to run a normal service, there may be short notice changes and diversions as a result of the large number of people travelling and necessary road closures.”
The Queen's coffin will travel to London to lay-in-state at the Palace of Westminster. Network Rail says it expects to see "unprecedented travel demands" in London from September 14.
Network Rail has issued the following travel advice:
- That roads and public transport in and around central London will be very busy. London Underground and rail services will be the best ways to get around central London.
- The Elizabeth line will run a special service with 12 trains per hour on the central section (Paddington-Abbey Wood) on Sunday 18 September to provide further transport options for customers. The East and West sections will operate as normal. Further information is available via TfL Journey Planner.
- London Underground will run as normal; however, some stations will be busier than usual, and some short-term safety measures such as queuing, closures, non-stopping trains or changes to the way customers enter or exit a station may be necessary.
- To avoid Green Park Tube station if possible, due to high numbers of customers passing through and to keep capacity for customers who need step-free access. Other Tube stations, such as Victoria, Piccadilly Circus and St James’ Park, are within a short walking distance of Buckingham Palace.
- Due to road closures, some bus services will be diverted or will stop short of their destination, and some may be running a reduced service.
- To allow plenty of extra time for journeys and to avoid driving where possible.
- To follow the instructions of staff, event stewards and the police.
- To check travel planning portals before setting out such as nationalrail.co.uk and https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
