Elizabeth line Trial Operations stage begins ahead of 2022 opening
Ahead of its planned opening in the first half of 2022, TfL has begun the final phase of the Elizabeth line’s testing programme to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway for public use.
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that delivery of the Elizabeth line has reached its next significant milestone, with the Trial Operations stage underway from 22 November 2021. This marks the final phase of the programme before the Elizabeth line opens for passenger services between Paddington and Abbey Wood in the first half of 2022.
Trial Operations involves operational exercises to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway for public use and to fully test the timetables. More than 150 scenarios will be carried out over the coming months to ensure the readiness of the railway for passenger service. These include exercises to make sure that all systems and procedures work effectively and staff can respond to any incidents, including customers being unwell or signal failures.
The start of Trial Operations is the latest milestone in turning the project into a live railway, which has been the focus since the project’s governance was transferred to TfL in October 2020. Prior to October 2020, the Crossrail Board led the project, with neither the Department for Transport (DfT) nor TfL being in control of the governance or construction of the line.
In 2022, a series of more complex exercises will include evacuations of trains and stations using thousands of staff and volunteers. The final step will see a period of ‘shadow running’, operating timetabled services ahead of the Elizabeth line opening.
It will take several months to complete this final complicated phase. The Elizabeth line is an immensely complex railway and Trial Operations will continue until it is clear that it can operate at the highest levels of safety and reliability before the start of passenger services. Only then will a specific opening date for the railway be announced.
Trial Operations will also see a number of organisations, including London Underground and Transport for London, MTR Elizabeth line, Network Rail and the emergency services all working together to respond to the trial scenarios.
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that delivery of the Elizabeth line has reached its next significant milestone, with the Trial Operations stage underway from 22 November 2021. This marks the final phase of the programme before the Elizabeth line opens for passenger services between Paddington and Abbey Wood in the first half of 2022.
Trial Operations involves operational exercises to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway for public use and to fully test the timetables. More than 150 scenarios will be carried out over the coming months to ensure the readiness of the railway for passenger service. These include exercises to make sure that all systems and procedures work effectively and staff can respond to any incidents, including customers being unwell or signal failures.
The start of Trial Operations is the latest milestone in turning the project into a live railway, which has been the focus since the project’s governance was transferred to TfL in October 2020. Prior to October 2020, the Crossrail Board led the project, with neither the Department for Transport (DfT) nor TfL being in control of the governance or construction of the line.
In 2022, a series of more complex exercises will include evacuations of trains and stations using thousands of staff and volunteers. The final step will see a period of ‘shadow running’, operating timetabled services ahead of the Elizabeth line opening.
It will take several months to complete this final complicated phase. The Elizabeth line is an immensely complex railway and Trial Operations will continue until it is clear that it can operate at the highest levels of safety and reliability before the start of passenger services. Only then will a specific opening date for the railway be announced.
Trial Operations will also see a number of organisations, including London Underground and Transport for London, MTR Elizabeth line, Network Rail and the emergency services all working together to respond to the trial scenarios.
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