Off-peak train frequencies to double between Moorgate and Hertford North

Community leaders are celebrating news that Great Northern is doubling the number of off-peak trains between London’s Moorgate station and Hertford North, improving connections and making the railway easier to use.

Starting on Monday 14 December, the investment will give passengers a ‘turn-up-and-go’ service of four trains an hour at most stations up until 8pm or 9pm from Monday to Saturday (see editors’ notes), improving connectivity across North London and Hertfordshire.

Great Northern’s Customer Services Director Jenny Saunders said: “We’re truly delighted to be able to double the number of trains in the off-peak, Mondays to Saturdays, on the route between Moorgate and Hertford North.

“With trains arriving every 15 minutes, there will be no need to check the timetable – passengers can just ‘turn up and go’. This will encourage more people to take the train, supporting the economies of towns along the route.

“Locals will find it easier to make day trips to the capital and there will be more trains for shift workers. We hope the added convenience will drive people to use what is the most sustainable form of public transport, reducing everyone’s carbon footprint.”

The announcement comes just days before an event this Friday by Network Rail, Great Northern and local leaders to celebrate the opening of a new lift at Hertford North which makes the station fully step-free, further improving service for passengers.

Hertford MP Josh Dean said: “I’m delighted that people in Hertford will benefit from a doubling in off-peak services between Hertford North and Moorgate. This follows Great Northern’s transfer to public ownership in the summer and helps to fulfil the Government’s commitment to provide additional services from Moorgate from December this year.

“It will help to connect our residents with opportunities and make it easier for them to get to work, school, or other activities. With the new lift to platform 1 at Hertford North now also in service, this further investment in our local railway will make a big difference to people’s journeys.”

Mayor of Hertford Cllr Alex Daar said: “The increase in service to four trains an hour from Hertford North to Moorgate is very welcome news. This, in addition to the new lift on platform 1, makes travelling by train an even more appealing and accessible way to visit Hertford.

“Hertford Town Council works hard to attract visitors to our town, holding a year-round programme of free events attended by thousands of people, so a ‘turn-up-and-go’ service is good news for our town and the local economy.”

John Cole, Co-Chair of the Enfield Society and co-founder of the Friends of Gordon Hill Station said: “The Enfield Society and Friends of Gordon Hill Station warmly welcome the return of four off-peak trains an hour on the Hertford Loop Line.

“More frequent trains improve inward journey connections and help to increase the likelihood of more travel by rail.

“We look forward to seeing this enhancement commence in December and look forward to the continuing growth and effectiveness of Great Northern railway services and their continued support to community rail partners.”

The new services can now be seen in the National Rail journey planner www.nationalrail.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes to editors

From Monday 14 December, the Great Northern service between Moorgate and Hertford North will increase to four trains per hour in the off-peak from Monday to Friday and on Saturday as follows:

• Monday to Friday

Between start of service and 9pm for journeys from Hertford North to London, and between start of service and 8pm for journeys from London to Hertford North. As today, more services will operate during the busy peak periods.

• Saturday

Between 7am and 9pm for journeys from Hertford North to London, and between 7am and 8pm for journeys from London to Hertford North

Bayford and Crews Hill

These additional services will run between Hertford North and Moorgate and stop at all the stations except for Bayford and Crews Hill, which will continue to be served by the half-hourly service between Stevenage and Moorgate.

Not stopping at the more lightly used stations of Bayford and Crews Hill allows the additional two trains an hour to run 3-4 minutes faster into London (they will take 48-49 minutes instead of 54 minutes). Should passenger numbers increase, for example as a result of a new town planned to be built at Crews Hill, then station stops can be instated later.

Carbon footprint, rail versus car

A passenger’s carbon footprint is almost 10 times less travelling the length of the Hertford route by rail when compared to the car (0.57 kgCO2e compared to 5.63kgCO2e). That’s saving the equivalent greenhouse emissions created when boiling 817 cups of water. https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/our-services/building-a-better-railway/sustainability.html