Better Journeys
Now and for the future
We’re committed to providing a better, more reliable and sustainable railway, and are working hard to create better journeys for you now and for the future.
We know not every journey is perfect. We know that sometimes creating a perfect journey is outside of our control. But we are always doing our best to deliver better journeys.
People make Southeastern, so what matters to you matters to us. That’s why we’ve been investing in improvements to our trains, stations, and services to create better journeys for you.
Better Metro
How we’re improving journeys on our inter-city London routes.
A fresh start
We’ve added more City Beam trains into our Metro service, giving you a lighter, smarter, and fresher journey on the routes they serve.
26 trains are now in service, and all 30 of our City Beam trains will be here in 2024, providing our newest trains yet.
Find out more about our new City Beam trains.
An elevated journey
The Access for All programme, delivered in partnership with Network Rail, means we can offer obstacle-free access at more Southeastern stations.
We’re installing lifts and bridges in select stations to make your path to the platform as swift and effortless as possible.
Work is already underway at Petts Wood Station which is benefiting from a £10.79m investment to install four new lifts and extend some platforms meaning a smoother more accessible journey. Work is due to complete this winter.
Moving between platforms will also be a little easier at Plumstead Station with a £4.6m investment in two new lifts and platform extension. Work is due to complete next spring (2024).
At Bexley Station, a new footbridge and two lifts are being installed, and a platform is being widened, meaning step-free access for a smoother, more accessible journey. Work is due to complete next spring (2024).
Find out more about upcoming Access for All stations.
A spruce up
We’re adding a touch of sparkle to some of our Metro trains with a comprehensive refresh programme, featuring noticeable improvements inside and out, so you’ll have a fresher and more comfortable journey.
Our refresh programme for our Class 376 Metro trains begins next year.
Find out more about our train improvement programme.
An excellent finish
We’re revamping our Grove Park maintenance depot to make it easier for us to deliver quicker fixes, deeper cleans and state-of-the-art upgrades from top to bottom. Giving you the best experience possible when you travel on our trains.
Grove Park Depot’s transformation to a Centre of Excellence – to keep our Metro fleet tip-top and squeaky clean – completes early next year.
Better Mainline
What we’re doing to improve journeys on our Kent routes.
A spruce up
We're working hard to create better journeys for you now and for the future. Together with Rail Heritage and supported by Kent Community Rail Partnership, we've transformed Hollingbourne station building into a new community café and hub which can be used year-round by local community groups and customers, alike.
The new Signal Box Cafe at Hollingbourne station will be open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6.30am-8am and 9.30am-3pm selling teas, coffees, hot chocolates and sweet treats with more coming in the new year. Plus, The Pantry selling all your essential shopping items with locally sourced products where possible.
You can also enjoy the Christmas Cinema. Watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ on Friday 15 December. The cost is £10 per ticket to include a festive drink and snack. Book at booking@hbnstation.com
A warmer welcome
We’re ensuring a warmer welcome with new energy-efficient LED lighting across our Class 375 Mainline trains. Plus, new at-seat power sockets and energy meters will keep you powered up during your journey while we keep our bills in check.
Our Class 375s are being refurbished as part of our £10m upgrade to our Mainline train fleet.
Find out more about our train improvement programme.
A smarter set-up
A smoother journey through Victoria station is coming, with an increase in ticket gates and a more open concourse area.
This modern makeover by Network Rail will ease congestion around the station at busy times. Visit Network Rail to learn more.
A sophisticated approach
A more reliable ride to Victoria is coming with new tracks, signals and signal operations.
This modern make-over by Network Rail features a major package of upgrades to modernise 1980s track and signalling on the South London lines into London Victoria, which will mean fewer faults and will help us overcome the unexpected faster.
Visit Network Rail to learn more about the project.
Better High Speed
Improving highspeed journeys between Kent and St Pancras International.
A local boost
We’re providing more economic opportunities with Thanet Parkway – Kent’s first new station in 8 years.
You’ll find better rail connectivity between East Kent, London and the wider south-east region. Plus, travelling from Thanet is better for the planet. Each trip to London creates 11 kilos less CO2 than driving.
Visit our Thanet Parkway page to discover more about the station.
A super-charge
We're super-charging the interiors of the UK's fastest Class 395 High Speed trains for your comfort with a £27m upgrade, featuring:
- A full interior refresh, with new carpets, new seats and change to the layout that will assist people with reduced mobility
- At-seat power sockets for mobile and laptop use
- Enhanced LED lighting
- More CCTV to aid on-board safety and monitor space availability
Find out more about our train improvement programme.
A higher frequency
From December, there’ll be an extra 16 weekday high speed trains a day between Faversham and St Pancras, bringing a higher frequency service on this route.
Our timetable changes on 10 December. As part of our commitment to create better journeys for you now and for the future, we'll be providing more train services.
Check your journey using our online journey planner.