Home » RAILWAY NEWS » Southeastern Trains Offer Relief from Bank Holiday Traffic Jams with Extra Carriages and Services
Saturday, August 24, 2024
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Southeastern is inviting drivers to swap their cars for a train ride this bank holiday weekend. The rail service is fully operational across most of its network and has added extra trains and carriages to ensure smooth travel for those looking to explore the southeast while avoiding traffic congestion.
With the RAC forecasting the busiest August bank holiday on the roads in nearly a decade, an estimated 19.2 million leisure car journeys are expected from Friday through Monday. Traveling by train with Southeastern offers a hassle-free and eco-friendly alternative for visiting popular destinations in Kent, southeast London, and East Sussex.
Electric rail travel, according to government data, contributes to only 0.14% of transport emissions in Kent. Each Southeastern train can remove up to 500 cars from the roads, highlighting the environmental benefits of choosing rail over road.
Southeastern is also making travel more affordable for families with its Kids for a Quid promotion, allowing up to four children to travel for just £1 each when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Groups of up to nine adults can benefit from GroupSave discounts, making a day out on the train both economical and enjoyable.
This weekend, direct train services will connect Cannon Street to Ramsgate via Woolwich Arsenal and Dartford, providing convenient access to popular seaside towns like Whitstable, Herne Bay, Margate, and Broadstairs. Additionally, Southeastern will deploy extra carriages on some of the busiest routes, including those toward London and along the Kent coast to Hastings, ensuring travelers have a comfortable and efficient journey.
Julian Moosai, Southeastern’s Head of Service Delivery, said: “There are so many wonderful attractions and beautiful beaches across London and the south-east and the long weekend provides a great opportunity to explore the area by train.
“Rail travel is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel – and our extra services makes it easier to leave the car at home and avoid the queues this bank holiday.”
Southeastern will run a Saturday timetable on both Saturday, August 24, and Monday, August 26. On Sunday, August 25, a Sunday service will be in effect.
Please note that there will be no trains running via Denmark Hill throughout the weekend. Instead, services will be diverted to Cannon Street or rerouted via Herne Hill.
Additionally, on Sunday morning, some early services between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks will be replaced with buses.
