Stansted Express trains will speed through Stansted, Stortford and Sawbridgeworth every half an hour during Friday night and Saturday morning as part of a trial this summer.
The Greater Anglia direct, non-stop services from the airport to the capital will give passengers new rail options for late arrivals and early departures.
The trial will see additional trains run approximately every 30 minutes between around 11.50pm and 5am from Friday, July 3 to Friday, September 25.
A Stansted Express train. Credit: Greater Anglia
Most trains will run between Stansted Airport and Tottenham Hale in 36 minutes. There, passengers can connect with the Victoria Line Night Tube for onward travel across the capital. Some early morning services will continue through to, or start from, London Liverpool Street station.
Joint planning between Greater Anglia, which operates Stansted Express, and Network Rail Anglia has enabled teams to review and adjust engineering plans to clear the way for the late-night service.
The trial will help Stansted Express understand customer demand before any decisions are made about operating on a long-term basis and adding additional stops.
Gareth Powell
Gareth Powell, Stansted Airport’s managing director, said: “The overnight trial of Friday Stansted Express services is a welcome development, and one which I’m sure will prove to be popular with airport passengers and staff, providing more choice, convenience and connectivity when accessing the airport.”
Previously, the last train from Stansted Airport into London was 0.30am, but there are now five extra departures to Tottenham Hale and four to London Liverpool Street before the regular 5.28am service.
From London, after the usual 11.21pm departure, the 11.52pm Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport will call at Tottenham Hale, Harlow Town and Bishops Stortford. There will be a further two direct trains from Liverpool Street and five from Tottenham Hale before the regular 3.40am service.
A Stansted Express train. Credit: Greater Anglia
Mr Powell said: “We will continue to work with all parties, Network Rail, Greater Anglia and the Transport Forum to explore any additional options and opportunities to enhance rail connectivity to and from the airport and build on what we hope will be a successful trial that encourages even greater use of the train by our passengers, colleagues and the local community.”
Greater Anglia joined DfT Operator Limited (DFTO), the Government’s rail-owning group, and is now part of GBR Anglia with c2c and Network Rail Anglia ahead of the formal establishment of Great British Railways by the end of 2027.
Lord Peter Hendy
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: “This is exactly what public ownership of our railways makes possible. As we build Great British Railways, we’re bringing train operators and Network Rail together under one roof so we can plan smarter, work faster and deliver more for passengers.
“These overnight Stansted Express services will make a real difference to people arriving late or travelling for early flights – connecting them straight into London via the Night Tube. Alongside contactless ticketing at every London airport, we’re building a railway that works for passengers and drives growth across the country.”
The trial follows the introduction of contactless pay-as-you-go at Stansted Airport earlier this year.
Jamie Burles
Jamie Burles, managing director of GBR Anglia, said: “Stansted Express already provides the fastest and easiest way to travel between London Stansted Airport and the capital.
“This trial is about giving more passengers that option when they need it, whether they are landing late on a Friday night or travelling to the airport for an early Saturday flight.
“This is a practical example of the benefits of closer working across the railway made possible under public ownership. By bringing Stansted Express and Network Rail Anglia closer together as part of GBR Anglia, we have been able to review engineering plans and trial these additional services while still protecting essential maintenance.
“We will monitor demand closely, and alongside contactless pay as you go at Stansted Airport, this is another step towards making the airport rail journey simpler, more flexible and more convenient.”