On Sunday 10th December 2017, Abellio take over the West Coast Main Line which includes services from Watford Junction to London Euston, and the Abbey Line.
The train operator won the franchise in August this year, after a campaign from Richard Harrington MP for better train services. The Watford MP welcomed the news, saying he’d “promised the people of Watford that London Midland would go”.
The Department for Transport has confirmed that nearly £1bn will be invested on the West Coast Main Line to improve services, including more frequent services on evenings and weekends, as well as upgraded trains.
It’s also been confirmed that passengers will get free Wi-Fi on all mainline services by the end of 2019, charging points on all London services, compensation if trains are delayed more than 15 minutes, and improved access for disabled passengers.
The Abbey Line will have a brand new train, as well as improvements to Sunday services. Passengers travelling between St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction will also be able to pay with a smart card for the first time.
Mr Harrington said:
“Today, Abellio take over managing the West Coast Main Line from London Midland, this includes our services to and from London, as well as the Abbey Line.
In my meetings with Ministers at the Department for Transport, I have been demanding a much better deal for Watford residents and this new franchise represents just that.
I look forward to working with the new operator, and finally seeing some much needed investment on the line to drastically improve services.”