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Tube fares might be about to skyrocket in the new year, but at least some positive TfL news is also coming our way. As well as not one, but two potential new Overground lines in the works for the future, TfL has announced that major improvements will be coming to the existing Overground lines in 2026, thanks to a contract with a new operator.
The transport bosses have announced that the £3 billion London Overground operator contract has been awarded to First Rail London Limited (FRLL), a subsidiary of FirstGroup PLC. FRLL will take over from the current operator, Arriva Rail London, on Sunday May 3 2026, and will work closely with TfL during its eight-year-long tenure.
The biggest improvements set to be introduced by FRLL include extra peak-time trains on the Mildmay line from May 2026, with shuttle services between Clapham Junction and Shepherd’s Bush during peak hours, as well as more frequent trains on the Windrush line from December 2026, with services through the core section (Highbury and Islington to Surrey Quays) of the line increasing to 18 trains per hour.
The new operators also want to upgrade customer help points and CCTV, improve reliability, manage disruption, provide better customer information, and continue to improve the Overground’s accessibility.
David Thomas, head of concession for London Overground, said: ‘London Overground is one of the most popular parts of our transport network, and this new concession puts customers at its heart, helping make the service even better. We’re delighted to welcome First Rail London Limited as our preferred new partner and look forward to working together to deliver a range of benefits for everyone who uses the network.’
Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup’s chief executive, said: ‘The London Overground has greatly improved connectivity in London, with around four million passengers now using the service every week. We are delighted to have been named as the preferred operator for the service from next May and look forward to welcoming employees who will be joining the Group and to play our part in the success of this vital rail network.’
Did you see that this Piccadilly line station will soon be partially closed for a year?
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