Reduced summer timetable on South Western Railway

South Western Railway (SWR) has reduced its summer timetable to facilitate necessary driver training for new trains that have encountered delays. The operator announced that the changes will affect less than 5% of its 1,600 daily services until August 29, coinciding with a seasonal drop in customer numbers of 12-17%. Specific routes impacted include Chessington South and London Waterloo via Richmond. A spokesperson noted that the adjustments aim to safeguard the driver training program and minimize the risk of cancellations during the school holiday period. Since its re-nationalization under Labour in May, SWR has successfully placed 14 Arterios trains into daily service.

Last year, the BBC sought to determine the public cost associated with the delays through the Freedom of Information Act, but the Department for Transport declined to disclose this information, citing commercial interests. The operator emphasizes that the timetable alterations will help manage resources effectively during a period of lower demand. These changes highlight ongoing challenges in the transition to new train operations amid public scrutiny over costs.