Great Western Railway (GWR) is to trial new overnight services to Gatwick Airport from 6 June, testing demand for early-morning and late-night connectivity between the Thames Valley and the UK’s second-busiest airport.
The 12-week trial will operate two services from Reading to Gatwick and three return services every Saturday morning, plus one service from Reading and two from Gatwick every Monday morning.
Currently, GWR services only run between 04:30 and 23:30, meaning passengers with early departures or late arrivals, over 20% of Gatwick’s daily traffic, are not able to reach the airport by rail from the west. The trial services will connect with flights from major airlines including easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways.
Calling at Reading, Wokingham, Guildford, Dorking Deepdene, Reigate, Redhill, and Gatwick, the services will benefit airline passengers and shift workers travelling along the route.
Mark Hopwood, managing director at GWR, said: “This trial allows us to test demand for extended operating hours to Gatwick and gather real-world data on how passengers use these services. Improving sustainable connectivity to airports is important to support the growth in air travel and we’re pleased to work with Gatwick Airport and Network Rail to explore what’s possible.
“The trial will help us understand whether overnight services can work operationally and commercially on this route. We’ll monitor performance closely and will review feedback before considering options to improve services in the future.”
Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer of London Gatwick commented: “We’re delighted to work in partnership with Great Western Railway to introduce these new overnight services, which will make travelling to and from London Gatwick even easier for both passengers catching early flights and staff working at the airport.
“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.”
The trains will operate at the following times:
- Saturdays departing Reading: 02:28, 03:30
- Saturdays departing Gatwick Airport: 00:30, 01:24, 04:00
- Mondays departing Reading: 03:24
- Mondays departing Gatwick Airport: 00:24, 04:00
Image credit: GWR
