We operate one of the busiest networks in the country
We operate one of the busiest networks in the country, providing trains services between seven London terminals and linking south-east London, Kent and parts of East Sussex.
This includes a mixture of high-capacity commuter style services on our Metro routes, longer distance Mainline services as well as the UK’s first and only domestic highspeed service, operated by 140mph Javelin trains.
South Eastern Railway was formally stood up on 18 June 2025 and brings the publicly owned train operator, Southeastern and infrastructure provider, Network Rail Kent Route, under a single leadership team. This integrated approach to managing the railway across the south east aims to drive investment and efficiency and deliver for passengers and freight and is an important step towards the eventual creation of Great British Railways (GBR).
You can read how we will continue to work together to provide in a single system with one point of accountability and unified decision making, download Our Plan PDF.
South Eastern Railway is a contractual arrangement between Southeastern (SE Trains Limited) and Network Rail. No accountabilities have been transferred and each organisation will remain responsible for decision-making for its respective accountabilities.
SE Trains Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of DfT OLR Holdings Limited (known as DFT Operators, or DFTO) the Public Sector Owning Group which also operates LNER, Northern, South Western Railway, c2c and TransPennine services.
DFTO is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027.
Read more about DFTO on their website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/dft-operator-limited
Southeastern by numbers
Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex:
- Operating over 1,700 trains a day
- We manage 165 stations across south-east London, Kent and East Sussex
- In 2024, we provided 135 million journeys
- On our busiest days, over 400,000 entries and exits at our London stations
- We serve 181 stations and cover 540 miles of track
- 383 trains
- Our team is comprised of over 4,500 employees
- And we operate the UK's fastest trains – the 140mph Javelin fleet which runs from London St Pancras International
Our trains
- Our commuter-style ‘Metro’ trains typically operate within the London Travelcard zone and provide frequent, high capacity services in south-east London and parts of Kent. These services are comprised of Class 465 and 466 Networkers, Class 376 Electrostars and our Class 707 ‘City Beam’ fleet.
- Mainline trains throughout Kent are Bombardier Class 375, 376 and 377 Electrostars.
- Highspeed trains from Kent to St Pancras International are Hitachi-Class 395 trains.
Keeping you informed
We know that you want access to timely, relevant, and accurate information to be able to plan your journey, this becomes even more important when things don’t go to plan and there is some disruption.
There are lots of ways you can keep in touch with us and keep on track with your journey:
The simplest and quickest way to get the most up to date information is through the Southeastern app. It is available on Google Play and Apple App Store.
Alternatively, visit our Contact Us page to see our full range of options.
Getting better, year on year
We work with Network Rail to make our network more reliable. Every year, we report on how we’re performing, what we’ve achieved, and what our plans are for the year ahead.
Download our Joint Performance Strategy PDF
We try hard to make sure your trains run on time – and we’re improving. To see how we’re doing, check out our punctuality results.
You can also visit our transparency page to learn more about Southeastern and how we are doing.
Bringing people together
Our top priorities are improving trains and stations and increasing services. But that’s not all we’re doing. Here are some other priorities:
- Improving safety and security
- Developing and training our employees
- Reducing energy use and recycling waste
- Supporting local communities
Inclusion and diversity
Our commitment to diversity, starts at the top, making our business stronger, smarter and more sustainable. We have introduced sector leading diversity targets to support our goals and are working extensively to attract and develop women in all roles.
Download our Gender Pay Gap report PDF
In 2024, we became the first UK passenger train operator to publish a Social Mobility Action Plan, in partnership with the Purpose Coalition.
Find out more about our work and read the report
Recent industry awards for Southeastern
Rail Business of the Year – Rail Business Awards 2023
Top employer of the Year – Women in Rail Awards 2022
