​Thameslink services set to be temporarily added to latest Tube map to help support customers during the coronavirus pandemic

Transport for London and Thameslink have issued the following press release:

• Temporary addition from next month will illustrate more through-London travel options while customers need to maintain social distancing.
• Both TfL and Thameslink continue to ensure their services are as safe as possible, clean and reliable, while asking customers to plan ahead and travel during the quiet times.

Transport for London (TfL) is temporarily adding Thameslink services to the world-famous Tube map from next month to help customers move around the city during the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

The temporary addition to the map, which will appear in stations in the coming weeks, will see Thameslink services within Zones 1 to 6 (as well as Dartford and Swanley), shown on maps displayed in stations, as well as the pocket Tube map, online at www.tfl.gov.uk and on the TfL Go app.

Thameslink has been added as it operates a through London service and highlighting this gives Londoners more options during the pandemic. This will help further encourage use of public transport to safely travel across the city, aiding social distancing and reducing the risk of a car-led recovery. Step-free information for all Thameslink stations shown will also be added, further aiding those with accessibility needs who need to travel around London.

Forthcoming closures to the Bank Branch of the Northern line during 2021, to allow for the completion of the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade works, also mean that customers will benefit from using Thameslink services as an alternative route option.

Julie Dixon, Head of Customer Information and Partnerships at TfL said: "In light of the continuing coronavirus pandemic, and the Northern line closures required to complete the Bank Upgrade works in 2021, Thameslink services have been temporarily included on the Tube map to help customers move around the city. This has been a complicated addition to make to the map, but one that we feel will benefit Londoners as part of our work to promote safe, clean and reliable public transport use across the city."

Tom Moran, Managing Director for Thameslink, said: “We’re delighted that Thameslink stations across London have been temporarily added to the iconic tube map, particularly those in areas of south east and north London which are now appearing for the first time. Adding Thameslink services will be especially helpful now, as we know people want to plan their journeys carefully and ensure they can socially distance. This will mean every passenger can see all the connections available to them in one place. Thameslink is a great option for passengers in London, with trains every few minutes, a journey time from St Pancras to London Bridge of under 15 minutes, and accessible stations.”

The addition of Thameslink services to the Tube map will help people travelling into the capital from just outside the city. However, the Government’s latest guidance makes it clear that everyone should try to reduce their journeys where possible, but those who need to travel can take simple steps to do so safely, such as using TfL’s travel tools to plan ahead for the quiet times and routes. Moreover, in line with Government restrictions, people living in tier 3 areas should not travel into tier 2 areas unless it is for education or work purposes which cannot be done from home.

An enhanced cleaning regime on London's transport network continues to make the network cleaner than ever. Trains and stations are cleaned with hospital-grade cleaning substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact and providing ongoing protection.

Both TfL and Thameslink are asking customers to plan ahead and travel during the quiet times. For TfL, these are currently between 08:15 and 16:00 and after 17:30 on weekdays, and before noon and after 18:00 on weekends on public transport. For Thameslink, see the Finding a quieter train webpage or look out for alerts in National Rail journey planners to show where trains are expected to be busy.

Extensive signage is in place on trains, platforms and stations, reminding everyone to socially distance. The British Transport Police is actively enforcing the national requirement for everyone to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth while in a station or on TfL and Thameslink services, unless they are exempt. On TfL services, this is also supported by TfL’s own enforcement officers who are targeting the small minority of people who are not complying with the requirement.

For more information, please visit www.tfl.gov.uk/coronavirus and https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/coronavirus-information

Ends

Notes to editors:

• All Tube and Rail services in London can be viewed on the London Tube and Rail Map available to download here https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/track

• Historically, the Tube Map showed a section of the Thameslink route (from Kentish Town to Elephant and Castle) from July 1987, when the route was operated by Network South East, and was removed from Tube map in 1999.

• TfL’s design team have been working since Summer 2020 to develop a way to accurately and coherently show Thameslink services on the Tube map. The route will appear on the map until at least December 2021, when TfL will assess feedback from stakeholders and customers from this design change before deciding whether to keep the route on the map for a further period of time.

• Areas appearing on the tube map for the first time thanks to the addition of Thameslink services include Bromley, Catford and Charlton in south east London and New Southgate and Cricklewood in north London.

• Extensive measures by both TfL and Thameslink will continue to provide as safe as possible, clean and reliable network for customers and staff. Across London, TfL has been running a full planned service for several months to help ensure there is sufficient space for all those needing to travel around the capital. Tube and rail services through central London run from around 05:00 to after midnight every day.

• On Thameslink, an updated winter timetable was introduced on 13 December. In response to customer feedback and passenger demand, there are additional peak-time services between Bedford and East Grinstead and between Orpington and Kentish Town in the early morning to provide extra room on board and new journey options. To prepare for the three-month partial closure of King’s Cross for essential upgrade work from March 2021, there will be changes to services using the station.

• TfL is currently planning for closures to the Bank Branch of the Northern line during 2021 to allow for the completion of the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade works. More information about this will be published in due course, but adding the route now will allow customers to start planning journeys and alternative routes in advance.

• Further information about independent lab tests undertaken on GTR services (including Thameslink) can be found here - https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/govia-thameslink-railway/pressreleases/lab-tests-see-southern-thameslink-and-great-northern-trains-test-negative-for-covid-3047994