A SOUTH Essex rail operator has pledged quicker journey times and more seat availability as it publishes its new timetable.

The new c2c timetable, which will come into force on January 9, is designed to take advantage of 24 new carriages the operator is adding to its fleet.

It has been developed in discussion with passenger groups after its last major timetable changes, adopted a year ago, came in for major criticism.

According to c2c, the new timetable is intended to address the top priorities of passengers in different areas:

  • Faster journey times between stations in Southend and London, with eight faster peak trains every day
  • Longer trains between stations in Thurrock and London, with seven peak-time trains doubled in length to 8-carriages each day
  • More seats available at stations in the Basildon and Benfleet area, with morning peak trains starting from Laindon retimed to run at the busiest times and lengthened to eight-carriages, plus extra carriages for passengers at Basildon and Benfleet

This morning, the first eight of c2c’s new carriages operated the 7.43am service from Thorpe Bay.

This enabled three other busy peak trains to be extended with extra carriages, adding over 280 more seats on each of those services.

The remaining new carriages will also start running passenger services over the next few weeks, followed by January’s timetable change which will also increase total capacity.

Julian Drury, managing director of c2c, said: “Today is a really significant step in our efforts to address the top priorities of our customers in different areas. It’s little over six months since we signed the contract for these new trains, and in that time they have been built and now they have started running in passenger service.

“There will be more changes over the coming weeks as we embed the new trains, so I’d like to thank our passengers for bearing with us during this time. Once this project finishes and January’s timetable change is introduced I hope that most passengers will notice an improvement in their commute.”

James Duddridge, Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, who joined other VIP guests on the final test run of the first new train on Friday, said: “The existing trains have always been very good but these new trains are a fabulous improvement.

"I particularly like the way the arm rests and flip-down tables mean you can work or relax during your journey, whichever you choose.

"The forthcoming faster journey times are very important for local residents and it is excellent news there will now be four trains to London from Shoeburyness in an hour or less.”

For details of the new timetable, visit the c2c website.