In one of TFL’s latest press releases titled ‘Crossrail – Moving to the
Operating Railway’ they revealed the branding for the Shenfield branch
which TFL is beginning operation on, on 31st May 2015.
This is not to be confused with the ‘London Rail’ brand which was
used during the 2000’s. A few of their responsibilities were:
1)To develop a focused rail plan for London in conjunction with the SRA's
national strategy.
2)To work with the Strategic Rail Authority and the rail industry to improve national rail services in London.
3)To progress major new rail projects.
4)To develop national rail's contribution to an integrated public transport system for London.
2)To work with the Strategic Rail Authority and the rail industry to improve national rail services in London.
3)To progress major new rail projects.
4)To develop national rail's contribution to an integrated public transport system for London.
Now that we are in 2015, we are expecting to see a few changes over the
coming months. The most interesting of these will be the handover of the
Shenfield branch from Abellio Greater Anglia to TFL Rail.
In the board paper it mentions that they will deep clean stations, improve
ticketing systems and refurbish the existing Class 315 rolling stock trains.
The Shenfield branch will also be included on the Tube Map and Journey
Planner.
The fare system will change from National Rail to TFL’s Underground,
Overground and Docklands Light Railway fares. For example, the existing Peak National Rail Pay as you go (Oyster and
Contactless) fare from Romford (Zone 6) to London Liverpool Street (Zone 1)
costs £6.00. The new Peak fare from TFL between Romford (Zone 6) to London
Liverpool Street (Zone 1) will be £5.10,
which is only 90 pence cheaper. The fares are only going down by a
fraction though so they'll be no major fare reductions to the Shenfield branch
service.
The service is still part of National Rail because it’s part of ATOC
(Association of Train Operating Companies), the same goes for the London
Overground which allows National Rail users to use the TFL rail services
without using the London Underground.
Also, the board paper mentions that all stations will be staffed from first
to last, which means there will be more security and services.
TFL also unveiled the roundel for TFL Rail
You might think that the service is fully operated by TFL, but in reality
the service is contracted out to MTR Crossrail.
76% of MTR Corporation is owned by the Hong Kong Government, whilst the remaining 24% is owned by shareholders.
MTR also operates London Overground services and their service company is
called London Overground Rail Operations Limited.
50% of it is owned by Arriva UK Trains whilst the other 50% is owned by MTR
Corporation.
Hopefully, by 2018 the service will be rebranded as 'Crossrail' and
the service will have new rolling stock trains which are the Class 345. Then in
late 2019 the service will be fully opened from Reading/Heathrow Airport to
Shenfield/Abbey Wood.
So roll on May 31st 2015 when we are expecting some radical
changes by TFL to be in place.
But anyway, I have filmed the Class 315 in action on the Shenfield Branch going from London Liverpool Street to Stratford station.
Also I forgot to mention that the Lea Valley Lines including the Seven Sisters Line and Chingford Line not to forget that the Romford to Upminster Line will be taken over by TFL operated by London Overground. The Pay as you Go fare structure will be changed from National Rail to TFL fare structure.
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References
The board paper
