Stansted Express resumes trains every 15 minutes throughout the day

The Stansted Express rail service between London and Stansted Airport will be resuming a four trains per hour service from this weekend (10th Dec), as it continues to increase train services and improve timetables in line with recovering customer demand after the pandemic.

A Stansted Express train at Stansted Airport railway station. (c) Greater Anglia

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 will be restored during off peak periods and at weekends from this Sunday.

Journey times will be 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.

Other changes from 10th December 2023 include:

• An additional 07.25 weekday morning peak service from Ipswich to London Liverpool Street, calling at Manningtree, Colchester and Chelmsford, Stratford and London Liverpool Street
• An additional 19.05 weekday evening peak service from London Liverpool Street to Braintree, calling at Stratford, Shenfield, Chelmsford, Witham and then all stations to Braintree
• Additional carriages (up from 5 to 10) on the 18.05 from London Liverpool Street to Braintree, which calls at Stratford, Shenfield, Ingatestone, Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel, Witham and then all stations to Braintree

The service improvements are designed to both support the ongoing recovery in passenger numbers and reflect the emerging travel patterns across the Greater Anglia (GA) network, as well as take advantage of the new trains now operating on all GA services.

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, from the timetable change this Sunday, benefitting air travellers and commuters alike, as well as introducing some other peak time improvements reflecting increases in passenger numbers.

“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.”