MTR Elizabeth line (MTREL), a wholly owned subsidiary of MTR Corporation, operates the full line on behalf of Transport for London (TfL). London is reaping the benefits of a smooth-running Elizabeth line, with more than 2.6 million passenger journeys recorded for the new central section of the Elizabeth line since the opening on 24 May 2022.

Presently, services are operating Monday to Saturday. However, to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a special timetable was run on Sunday (5 June 2022) to enable the passengers in London to experience the Elizabeth line and help those enjoying the long weekend to travel around London quickly and safely.

Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation Dr Jacob Kam said, “As a trusted brand based in Hong Kong, MTR upholds the highest standards of railway services in the cities we serve. We are delighted to see the smooth operations during the initial period of the Elizabeth line which marks an impressive start for a brand new railway and demonstrates MTR’s commitment to delivering the highest standards of operational reliability and efficiency in different cities. We are also excited to see that the passengers appreciate how the Elizabeth line is improving their journeys, reducing travelling time and offering a faster, more easily accessible and comfortable journey.”

The next stage of the Elizabeth line development will include the opening of Bond Street station and the linking up of the ‘three railways’, which will see through-services from Abbey Wood to Heathrow Airport and Reading, and from Shenfield to Paddington. The full integration of western and eastern services will see up to 24 trains per hour running through the Central Operating Section – a train every two and a half minutes. We will continue to work closely with TfL to achieve the through trains service of the Elizabeth line.

With the professionalism of the MTREL workforce, we will continue to deliver excellent railway service and undertake our commitment to local communities. We are always committed to providing the best traveling experience to our passengers.

London, 24 May 2022: Today’s opening of the Elizabeth line marks a new chapter for railway travel across the capital, introducing a transformative way to connect people and communities.

Since its inception, MTR Elizabeth line (MTREL), the operator of the Elizabeth line on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), has been widely recognised for its commitment to the communities in which it operates, prioritising employing local people that are representative of the diverse communities they serve* and working closely with community groups to offer a safe and accessible service.

The Elizabeth line will offer an easier, faster and more enjoyable travel experience, cutting journey times and providing improved capacity both at the spacious stations and on the longer, walk-through trains. With greater accessibility across the route and the provision of a ‘turn up and go’ service to anyone requiring assistance, many more customers will be able to take advantage of the benefits of rail travel.

For the first time, passengers will be able to travel between key London locations including Canary Wharf, Liverpool Street, Tottenham Court Road, Paddington and Heathrow in record time. Initially, the Elizabeth line will operate across three sections with full services introduced across the entire route by 2023, creating more seamless journeys into and across central London from the West and East of the city.

Chief Executive Officer of MTR UK, Steve Murphy, said: “We have been working closely with multiple partners towards this goal including TfL, Crossrail, Network Rail, and Alstom, and are excited to reach this historic milestone that will greatly enhance connectivity while helping to drive the capital’s economic recovery.

“I am particularly pleased for two groups of people that this day has arrived. Firstly, for Londoners who have always been so supportive of this immense project and secondly, for our outstanding colleagues at MTREL who I’ve been privileged to work alongside. Commencing services on the Elizabeth line would not have been possible without their considerable effort and expertise and I’m incredibly proud of their achievements.”

MTR Elizabeth line’s Managing Director, Nigel Holness, added: “We are committed to delivering the highest standards of operational reliability and efficiency for our passengers and look forward to welcoming customers onto the new Elizabeth line. I would like to thank all our MTR Elizabeth line colleagues for their hard work leading up to the opening of the line and for their ongoing dedication to serving our local communities.”

*As of January 2022, 75% of MTREL employees were from the local community (living in one of the boroughs the Elizabeth line will serve).

Transport for London (TfL) in the United Kingdom has announced that the Central Operating Section of the Elizabeth line under the ownership of TfL is set to open on 24 May 2022. MTR Elizabeth line (MTREL), a wholly owned subsidiary of MTR Corporation, is responsible for the daily operations of the Elizabeth line.

The Elizabeth line stretches over 100 km and serves 41 stations1. MTREL, on behalf of TfL, is responsible for providing its passengers the highest level of customer service and managing 28 of the stations along the route in addition to overseeing the daily operations of the full line. The opening of the Elizabeth line is a major milestone in London’s railway development and significantly increases central London’s rail capacity. MTREL, as the company responsible for daily operations, will continue to collaborate closely with construction and maintenance business partners appointed by TfL to deliver the respective tasks.

Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation Dr Jacob Kam said, “We are excited to witness and take part in the commencement of Elizabeth line service which signifies a new era of travel in London. With our ample experience on railway operations, we are committed to delivering the highest standards of operational efficiency and reliability and the best in customer service for passengers in London. I would like to thank our MTREL colleagues for their continued hard work in the last seven years2 to be fully prepared for the opening of the Elizabeth line.”

As an international brand based in Hong Kong, MTR has been steadily developing its mainland and overseas business. The Corporation achieves the goal of keeping cities moving with extensive experience of delivering safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable railway services that support growth and connect communities.

Steve Murphy – Managing Director of MTR Elizabeth line – has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of MTR UK, a newly created entity that will replace MTR Europe.

Having been Managing Director of MTR Elizabeth line since the company was awarded the concession to operate Elizabeth line services across London in 2014, Steve has played a pivotal role in the award-winning train operating company’s growth and success.

Steve has almost 30 years of industry experience including as Chief Operating Officer at Arriva Group, Managing Director of London Overground Rail Operations Limited (LOROL) and Managing Director of Chiltern Railways.

As CEO of MTR UK, Steve’s remit will include responsibility for all rail, infrastructure and business development activities in the UK.

Gill Meller, MTR Corporation’s Legal and European Business Director, said: “This is an exciting development for MTR’s business operations.

“Steve has played a significant role in the growth and success of MTR Elizabeth line, and his appointment as CEO will allow him to draw on his extensive knowledge and experience more widely, as we look at the longer-term opportunities for MTR in the UK.”

Commenting on his appointment, Steve said: “MTR is an outstanding organisation that I have been lucky enough to be part of for over ten years, firstly with LOROL and then with MTR Elizabeth line. It is an honour to be asked to lead MTR’s UK businesses as CEO.

“Looking forward, I am determined to build on MTR’s global reputation for quality and innovation, and I’m excited about the role we can play in the UK’s economic regeneration at such a critical time.”

The appointment will become effective from 1 October 2020, following the retirement of Jeremy Long after 15 years as CEO of MTR Europe.

A new Managing Director for MTR Elizabeth line will be announced in due course.