SOUTH Western Railway summer timetables which came into effect just over a week ago has brought with it longer trains, providing 5,500 extra seats on some of its busiest routes, as well as additional services serving smaller stations.

The summer timetable also brings more capacity on some of the busiest weekend and off-peak services and a number of weekday peak services will also be lengthened says the train operator, who has been under fire since Transport Secretary Chris Grayling ordered a probe into the company running services in Hampshire and Surrey, since it took over the old SWT franchise in August.

SWR’s managing director Andy Mellors said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to provide 5,500 extra seats and better journey opportunities at some of our smaller stations.

“The new longer platforms at Waterloo mean we’re running longer trains and in December, the former Waterloo International Terminal will reopen with access to additional platforms.”

Last summer, commuters endured one of the biggest upheavals since the train network was privatised by the Conservatives, back in the mid-1990s, as Waterloo – Europe’s busiest station – was largely closed to create longer platforms, which made way for trains able to carry an extra 11,000 passengers a day after work was completed.