The Heathrow to Paddington peak Elizabeth line fare of £10.20 will also be less than half the cost of the current £27 standard fare on the 15-minute Heathrow Express.
Transport for London (TfL) and Crossrail Limited have recently hailed a major milestone for Europe’s largest infrastructure project as the first new Elizabeth line train was tested in the brand-new tunnels through London.
When it launches in December, the Elizabeth line is set to transform transport in London with quicker, easier and more accessible journeys. The first train to be driven in the tunnels comes as construction reaches its final stages.
Andrew Wolstenholme, Chief Executive, Crossrail, said: “The start of infrastructure testing is a major milestone moment. It’s testament to the men and women who have, and continue to, work tirelessly on the project that we are now welcoming the first Elizabeth line train that’s powered by the new overhead lines, into the tunnels. The Crossrail programme is now over 90% complete and this heralds the start of our works to bring together the new stations, track, power, signalling and trains ahead of the Elizabeth line opening in December."
Howard Smith, Operations Director for the Elizabeth line, said: “This is a huge milestone for the project, nine years after construction first began. I’m thrilled to see the first train make its maiden voyage from Abbey Wood through the brand-new tunnels. Crucial testing is now underway to validate the safety and reliability of the Elizabeth line ahead of the launch. We look forward to welcoming customers onto our new railway this December, when their experience of travelling across London will be transformed for the better."
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "This is a hugely exciting moment in the construction of the Elizabeth line. Everyone involved in Europe’s largest infrastructure project has done a wonderful job and it’s thanks to their hard work that we are another key step closer to running our first passenger service. When it opens later this year, the Elizabeth line is going to transform travel across London and the South East, helping to improve the lives of millions of Londoners, stimulating much needed housing development across the capital, and providing a huge boost to our economy.”
Jeremy Rees, Acting CEO, Excel London, said: “Events at Excel are thriving and with the opening of the Elizabeth line, the future is set to be even better. Excel will have its own onsite Elizabeth line station, delivering an additional 18,000 visitors per hour. By dramatically reducing journey times, it will allow visitors from every corner of the UK to spend more time at our events. Senior decision makers will be able to drop in for a meeting or stay for the day, ensuring the best quality audience. This £15 billion ‘Events Super Highway’ will link the world’s busiest airport at Heathrow to Excel in 43-minutes, allowing more international visitors to access events at Excel, with greater ease. Already one of the best-connected cities on the planet, the opening of Elizabeth line, will make accessing London’s world-class hotels, restaurants and attractions, quicker, easier and more convenient than ever before.”
For further information and to watch a short video outlining the benefits of the Elizabeth line, please visit www.excel.london/elizabeth-line.
