Crossrail has extended its route west, with services now set to call at Twyford and Reading from 2019.
Rather than terminating at Maidenhead, Crossrail will run two services an hour from Reading, allowing passengers to travel into Central London without changing at Paddington.
A total of 40 stations will now be served by the route, which will be opened in phases from 2017 to 2019.
Transport for London (TfL)T said: “The extension will also help to meet increases in passenger numbers by providing greater capacity than the previous plans.”
The additional services will also mean purchasing an extra train on top of the 65 already on order.
Rail Minister Stephen Hammond said: “Crossrail reaching Reading is further proof of our commitment to deliver a transport network fit for the 21st century. It will improve connectivity and deliver greater choice and convenience for passengers travelling into London. It will also make better use of the already congested Great Western Main Line, freeing up capacity for further improvements including potential direct services from Reading to Heathrow as part of the Western Access Scheme.”
There will be no change to the planned Great Western services from Reading to London with twice hourly semi-fast services and fast mainline services continuing to operate and call at the same stations as today.
Its good new that Crossrail has been extended to Reading but also Crossrail could also be extended to Chelmsford, Dartford, Gravesend, Oxford, Southend Victoria, Southend Central, Shoeburyness, Aylesbury, Greenford, South & West Ruslip, Wickford, Southend Airport, Guildford and Windsor & Eton Central.