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South Western Railway

Asked by Helen MaguireLiberal DemocratDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 14 July 2025UIN 65491

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to return the frequency of South Western Railway trains in Surrey back to pre-Covid levels following renationalisation.

Answered by Simon Lightwood

Passenger demand has not yet grown back to pre-Covid levels. However, the Department and South Western Railway (SWR) are in regular discussion regarding service provision, which aim to balance the needs of both passenger and taxpayer. Following the introduction of the Class 701 Arterio fleet which will significantly increase capacity, there will be an opportunity to look at the South Western timetable.

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