GOVIA Thameslink Railway says there has been a positive start to the introduction of the new interim Thameslink and Great Northern timetable this week.

According to the company, the new schedules have delivered a more stable, resilient and reliable service.

Some 200 extra trains are now running each weekday across the network compared to the period prior to the introduction of the May timetable. Levels of punctuality and reliability are returning to levels achieved before the May timetable change.

GTR Chief Executive Patrick Verwer said: “My priority is to ensure passengers have the punctual service they are promised, and the new interim timetable is starting to achieve that. Some infrastructure problems beyond our control have impacted services.”