News archive

21 October 2020 10:11

This Is Not a Man’s World: GTR doubles the number of female driver applicants in less than a year, and targets 50/50 splits across new training programmes in 2021

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the UK’s biggest rail operator which runs the Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express services, has, through a series of dedicated recruitment and marketing campaigns, successfully managed to double the number of female train driver applicants from 413 in 2019, to 825 in 2020[i]. A remarkable feat for an industry usually seen as dark, dusty and bett

15 October 2020 12:17

Govia Thameslink Railway is UK’s first rail operator to sign new homelessness charter

Homelessness in the UK is increasing year-on-year and has been heightened during the pandemic, with reports of rough sleepers up by 36%[1]. The issue is particularly prevalent on the railway, which is why the UK’s largest rail operator has signed a new charter to help safeguard vulnerable people and communities.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), is the first train operating company to put its nam

12 October 2020 15:31

Passengers reminded not to travel to or from London King’s Cross this weekend as vital work continues on the £1.2 billion East Coast Upgrade

Network Rail has issued the following reminder of major engineering work affecting train services in and out of King's Cross station this coming weekend:
Network Rail and train operators on the East Coast Main Line are reminding passengers not to travel to or from London King’s Cross, or on Thameslink services via Finsbury Park this weekend (Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October), as essential work

24 September 2020 12:47

Thameslink and Southern station assistants crowned best in UK

Two Govia Thameslink Railway station assistants at the opposite ends of their careers have each won a major national rail award for their outstanding contribution in helping passengers, while Southern Railway was highly commended in the category Passenger Operator of the Year, and GTR for the introduction of more than 1,500 new carriages worth over £2bn.
Thameslink's Siggy Cragwell, aged 80, ha

10 September 2020 10:35

Nation wakes up to messages of hope on World Suicide Prevention Day

A series of motivational messages have appeared across the network as part of GTR’s ‘Affirmation Art’ activation “It’s ok not to be ok,” “We’re with You” and other messages show continued support and understanding for those in need
10 September 2020, LONDON: Today, on annual World Suicide Prevention Day, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the UK’s biggest rail franchise which operates the Southe

9 September 2020 11:18

Govia Thameslink Railway opens largest electric vehicle charging hub in rail and announces thousands of station improvements

Today on World Electric Vehicle (EV) Day, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - the UK’s biggest rail franchise – welcomed Secretary of State Grant Shapps to open rail’s largest dedicated EV charging hub at Hatfield station, which features a total of 27 charging points.
The installation marks a milestone in a wide-ranging station improvements programme being undertaken by GTR, which encompasses more

13 August 2020 15:21

Great Northern marks 170th anniversary of its first train into London

This month, the railway connecting Peterborough to London celebrates 170 years of service and to mark the occasion, Great Northern has released a series of commemorative videos that celebrate the transformation of the route over recent years.

Designed and built by the pioneering Cubitt family, the Great Northern Railway was opened in 1850 and helped to deliver growth across Cambridgeshire,

28 July 2020 11:40

Railway workers get set for virtual Brighton & Hove Pride celebrations

The LGBT+ Network at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is preparing to celebrate Pride in a whole new way, joining the raft of virtual events from the organisers, following the cancellation of the annual Brighton & Hove Pride event due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swapping stilettoes and sequins for sofas and slippers, this year the rail operator’s employees will be joining Pride’s digital festiv

27 July 2020 15:19

Special delivery! Govia Thameslink Railway kicks off parcel pickup partnership with Amazon

Thanks to a new partnership between Govia Thameslink Railway and Amazon, customers will soon be able to pick up parcels using Amazon Hub, an automated click and collect service making online shopping even easier for customers travelling on the Southern, Great Northern and Thameslink routes.
Offering a delivery alternative and greater convenience for rail users who are not at home during the day

2 July 2020 13:56

Buy smart to skip the queues and socially distance

Passengers who need to travel by rail can help socially distance by skipping station queues and buying their weekly, monthly and annual season tickets from the comfort of their own home.
Customers of Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern can now simply buy season tickets through the train firms’ free OnTrack phone app and tap their Key smartcard to their NFC-enabled smartphone (see editor’s n

29 June 2020 15:39

​ Bright new sign creates a buzz in Cricklewood

Cricklewood residents have taken to social media to share their delight at a bold new sign adorning the railway bridge just outside the Thameslink station.
Despite thunderstorms, paintwork was completed over the weekend with the new sign highlighting Cricklewood as a destination in its own right.
It is the second project brought to fruition by NorthWestTwo Residents’ Association thanks to f

29 June 2020 11:26

UPDATED: Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern encourage customers to stagger journeys and check new train times

UPDATED WITH REVISED ADVICE FOR TIMES NOT TO TRAVEL
Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern is working in partnership with businesses as they prepare to reopen in line with Government advice. Customers are encouraged to support social distancing by avoiding travel, where possible, during the busiest times which are now between 6am and 7.30am.
People who are thinking of travelling are asked t