MTR signs concession agreement to operate Crossrail train service in London
Posted: 30 July 2014 | | No comments yet
MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of MTR Corporation formally signed a concession agreement with Transport for London to operate the Crossrail train service for an eight-year period with a two-year extension option…
MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of MTR Corporation, today (30 July 2014) formally signed a concession agreement with Transport for London (TfL) to operate the Crossrail train service for an eight-year period with a two-year extension option.
Crossrail is a new 118 km railway that will serve 40 stations from Reading and Heathrow in the west of London through the West End, the City and Canary Wharf to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east of London. MTR will start running train services on a section of 15 stations between Liverpool Street Station and Shenfield from 31 May 2015 with additional services to complete the whole Crossrail route to commence in phases up to 2019.
“We are committed to bringing the very best of MTR to Crossrail, and working hand-in-hand with TfL to establish a new standard of operational reliability and customer service for railways in Europe,” said Mr Jay Walder, Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation. “The award of this contract also shows how Hong Kong’s expertise and capabilities can contribute to the growth and development of world cities,” he added.
Under the concession agreement, MTR will:
- operate highly reliable and efficient Crossrail train service reaching approximately 700 daily timetabled services
- provide world class customer service at Crossrail train stations
- share its proven expertise to support testing and commissioning activities for the new railway and manage system interfaces across the wider Crossrail project
“MTR has a strong management team in place in London to lead Crossrail operations and we are already well advanced in our planning and preparations for a successful launch to train service next year. Over the next few months, we will be recruiting hundreds of employees and working closely with TfL and other partners to ensure that a high standard of service is set right from Day One of railway operations,” said Mr Jeremy Long, CEO – European Business, MTR Corporation.
Stay Connected with Global Railway Review — Subscribe for Free!
Get exclusive access to the latest rail industry insights from Global Railway Review — all tailored to your interests.
✅ Expert-Led Webinars – Gain insights from global industry leaders
✅ Weekly News & Reports – Rail project updates, thought leadership, and exclusive interviews
✅ Partner Innovations – Discover cutting-edge rail technologies
✅ Print/Digital Magazine – Enjoy two in-depth issues per year, packed with expert content
Choose the updates that matter most to you. Sign up now to stay informed, inspired, and connected — all for free!
Thank you for being part of our community. Let’s keep shaping the future of rail together!
