THAMESLINK has launched a new timetable for summer.

From May 20, Monday to Friday, Thameslink will be doubling the frequency of the new Cambridge to Brighton and cross-London service so that two trains an hour will run in each direction.

This means there will be an extra 2,000 seats for commuters.

The trains will run for most of the day, giving passengers on the route from Cambridge, via Hitchin and Stevenage, new half-hourly services to and from Gatwick, and central London.

GTR chief executive Patrick Verwer said: “Thameslink’s new service between Cambridge and Brighton has been really well received by passengers.

“By doubling its frequency we’ll create seats for 2,000 more commuters each morning and evening and provide a further boost to the economies of these two important cities.

“Leisure travellers will love the new service too. We’ll have half-hourly trains from the Cambridge route direct to London and Gatwick, and Thameslink will be much better at the weekends.

“We already have 400 more services a day than this time last year and punctuality on GTR is the best it has been for four-and-a-half years with almost nine out of ten trains arriving on time last month.”

Weekend Thameslink trains also receive a significant boost with 180 extra services on Saturday and 100 more on Sunday.

These are a combination of reinstated services, such as the Bedford main line which returns to four trains per hour.

This also includes new trains including Cambridge to Brighton on Saturdays and Cambridge to Gatwick on Sundays, and a doubling of the trains from Rainham via Dartford and Greenwich both Saturday and Sunday. Some weekday peak services will also make additional stops at places such as Preston Park on Gatwick Express, Hassocks on Southern and Knebworth and Letchworth on Thameslink.