Rail bosses at First Capital Connect have urged customers to check train times for improvements and changes on the Thameslink route over the 2012 festive period.
And the firm will also again offer free travel on its late night train services from central London on New Year’s Eve.
FCC managing director Neal Lawson said: “It’s important our passengers check for changes over the festive period at www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/christmas. And for the third year running we are delighted to be able to give visitors and customers a free ride home overnight on New Year’s Eve.”
Service changes include:
*On Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) a normal service will operate for most of the day. Some Brighton route trains will have additional carriages. Last trains will depart central London around 10pm.
*As with most public transport, there will be no service Christmas Day and Boxing Day (December 25-26). FCC tickets will be accepted on Greenline coach services between Luton Airport and London on Boxing Day.
*A revised Saturday service will operate on December 27, 28 and 31.
*There will be additional post-midnight services operating in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
*As a crowd management measure for the London New Year’s Eve firework display, Blackfriars’ South Bank entrance will close for entry and exit from 7pm until 6am the next day. The north bank entrance will be exit only from 9pm. Customers are advised to avoid Blackfriars where possible. Customers wishing to use Thameslink services are advised to use City Thameslink until 9pm and then either Farringdon or London Bridge.
*Free travel will be available on First Capital Connect services from central London from 11.45pm on the 31 December 2012 until 4.30am on 1 January 2013.
Service changes are detailed at www.fristcapitalconnect.co.uk/christmas