Thameslink: a popular commuter train in London

The road to Thameslink classic train from Bedford to Brighton runs through central London, literally linking one side of the Thames to the other, hence the name Thameslink.

Today, I'd like to tell you more about it.

Thameslink train: article summary

Thameslink train: a line with many faces

These are :

• A commuter line if you live in St Albans
• From a metro double if you live in North London
• An inter-terminal shuttle bus if you're crossing the city
• A leisure itinerary if you're going to the beach
• From a Gatwick airport shuttle and Luton

The Thameslink is versatile and adapts to every passenger.

That said, Thameslink doesn't fall into the trap of trying to please everyone, which is why I think it's well and truly the best rail line we have in Europe, and maybe even in the world.

Independence and efficient management

Thameslink is an anomaly in the rail network. Although it appears on the Underground map, it is not managed by the Mayor of London and does not belong entirely to a single Network Rail region.

More importantly, it was not tainted by the failure of any politician to deliver on a manifesto promise.

Thameslink train: a project unlike any other

Before it opens, Crossrail is already hated by everyone who should benefit from it, as every London mayor and transport secretary has promised to open it quickly and failed.

The same can be said of High Speed 2. Thameslink has no intention of taking HS2 to the next level. or do London like Crossrail.

The quiet success of Thameslink

The Thameslink program was originally called Thameslink 2000, a plan to enhance the line's services and provide it with new trains and stations.

It has been delivered about 20 years lateto the disdain of its commuters.

Local impact of Thameslink trains

Any improvement to the Luton Airport Parkway is an indirect benefit for London, any changes to City Thameslink have an impact on Haywards Heath commuters.

How efficient is the Thameslink network?

A journey from central London to almost anywhere on the Thameslink network is always the fastest with Thameslink, even if much of it runs parallel to the M1 or M25.

A journey from St Pancras to St Albans takes 17 minutes. By car, it's an hour on a good day.

This is the only way the railroads can achieve a "modal shift", where people abandon environmentally unfriendly cars for more environmentally friendly trains.

The challenge of speed on Thameslink

It takes so much longer to get to St Albans using a different method that the train is the only way to do it.

You would only adopt the alternative method if you absolutely had to. It is something Thameslink does well.

Reassuring, efficient service

You can find Thameslink 24/7 on social networks, every train now has on-board announcements and screens, every station is usually accompanied by a member of staff.

Thameslink train: safety, accessibility and passenger satisfaction

On a Thameslink train, you can see from one end of the train to the other. there's WiFiSo even if something goes wrong, you've got the signal and reception to fix it.

The metro has an uneven signal, often no WiFi and often no video surveillance in many cases.

You also see Thameslink security staff and BTP all night on board Thameslink trains and that's reassuring, it's a good deterrent and ultimately adds to our perception of the railroad as a good, reliable transport option.

Thameslink isn't perfect. The Luton-Rainham train is weird. Trains could do with more side tables and power sockets. Peak fares are expensive. However, it's the best rail line in Europe. What's more enjoy the London area during your stay!

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