Gatwick Airport welcomes new Gatwick Express fleet & unveils rail revolution plan

Artist impression of Gatwick Airport railway station

Gatwick Airport has welcomed the first train of the new Gatwick Express fleet which will increase capacity and frequency to and from the capital.

Artist impression of Gatwick Airport railway station

The first train of a new Gatwick Express fleet has entered passenger service marking the start of increased rail capacity and frequency from the airport to capital. The specifically designed vehicles will leave Gatwick for London every 3 minutes by 2018 and double in capacity. Two new direct services will also be launched to Cambridge and Peterborough – one leaving to each city every 30 minutes.

Gatwick Airport rail services to London every 3 minutes by 2018

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick Airport CEO, said: “This fleet of Gatwick Express trains has been designed with the air passenger in mind and heralds the start of a step change in rail services at Gatwick. 

“In just two years, the new Gatwick Express trains will be complimented by a state of the art Thameslink fleet, which together will serve Gatwick with tube-like frequency.  Shortly after, Gatwick will also complete a brand new train station so we can comfortably meet the expected increase in passenger numbers.

“The rail improvements will bring almost a quarter of the UK population to within an hour of Gatwick by train. They will also help us to get more than half of our passengers to the airport by public transport – comparable with the best globally and much better than any UK airport.”

Bombardier Transportation will deliver 108 new carriages, with each train featuring two double doors per vehicle with more space around them for easier boarding, 2×2 seating with more leg room and under-seat storage, more luggage space, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and the latest automated on-board service information in several languages.

Gatwick Express Passenger Service Director, Angie Doll added: “This marks a real step-change in the journey experience for Gatwick Express passengers. The new fleet replaces 30-year old rolling stock which is not designed for today’s airport passenger, and the introduction of our new trains is just the start of some really exciting improvements yet to come.”

Gatwick Airport recently published a document outlining the transformation of Gatwick rail services. The airport is heralding the Gatwick Express launch as the start of its Rail Revolution which includes the £120.5 million redesign of Gatwick Airport railway station by 2020.