All-day, 15-minute frequency for Stansted Express services reintroduced

Gareth Powell, MAG and Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia. Credit: Greater Anglia.

A new timetable with more trains and more seats has come into effect this week.

Greater Anglia (GA) has reintroduced an all day, 4 trains per hour Stansted Express service, 7 days a week. The increased frequency, which came into effect on Sunday 10 December 2023, is part of GA’s ongoing actions to improve train services and timetables in line with recovering customer demand after the pandemic.

After reintroducing a weekday, peak time, 4 trains per hour frequency for Stansted Express services in May this year, airport passenger numbers have continued to increase, so the “every 15 minutes” frequency has now been restored during off peak periods and at weekends. As a result, the Stansted Express service schedule is now as follows:

Monday to Saturdays

London Liverpool Street depart: 03.40, 04.10, 04.40, 05.10, then every 15 minutes to 22.55, then 23.25

Stansted Airport depart: 05.30, 06.00, then every 15 minutes to 23.59, then 00.30

Sundays

London Liverpool Street depart: 04.10, 04.40, 05.10, 05.40, 06.10, then every 15 minutes to 22.55, then 23.25

Stansted Airport depart: 05.30, 06.00, 06.30, 07.00, then every 15 minutes to 23.59, then 00.30

Journey times are also slightly quicker, averaging 48 minutes, with most off-peak services scheduled for 47 minutes, as Greater Anglia is able to take full advantage of now operating new trains, with improved performance capabilities, on all its services.

The Managing Directors for Greater Anglia and Stansted Airport (pictured) have welcomed the improvements.

Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Greater Anglia said:

“We are pleased to be providing 4 trains per hour to Stansted Airport all day, 7 days a week again, benefitting air travellers and commuters alike.

“With new trains right across our network, we are transforming rail travel in our region, offering an excellent travel experience, more seats, and a more punctual and reliable service. We will continue to adjust our timetable in line with emerging demand and look to make further improvements where practical and appropriate.”

Gareth Powell, Managing Director, Stansted Airport said:

“We welcome the reintroduction of the full four trains per hour schedule, as it's a vital service for the millions of passengers who rely on a convenient and reliable service between London and the airport each year. A regular, turn-up-and-go service will not only encourage more passengers back onto trains and out of private cars to enable the most sustainable growth possible at the airport, and cement our position as the number one airport in the UK for public transport use by passengers, but it will also support our on-going work to attract more airlines looking to access the UK and London aviation market. This is really positive news for passengers, staff and local commuters, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Greater Anglia to develop further timetable enhancements and service improvements.”

Managing Director, Network Rail Anglia, Katie Frost, also welcomed the service upgrade, as follows:

“The reintroduction of the 4 trains per hour, 7 days a week Stansted Express service is fantastic news for passengers. We will continue to work in partnership with Greater Anglia to deliver more service improvements and we’re committed to maintaining the excellent reliability levels being achieved across the Anglia network.”