Transport for London has announced that Elizabeth Line trains from Reading, Heathrow Airport and Shenfield will start running through central London on 6 November.
Reading trains will continue to Abbey Wood, and Shenfield trains will terminate at Paddington.
Bond Street station will also open by November, said TfL, which pointed out that passengers from the outer stations who wish to continue beyond Paddington or Liverpool Street will be able to change by simply alighting at a central London station and waiting for a following train.
The date of 6 November will also mark the start of Sunday services through central London, while the existing services will start running between 05.30 and 23.00 from 5 September.
Frequencies in the central section between Paddington and Whitechapel will increase from 12 trains an hour to up to 22 trains an hour in peak times and 16 trains an hour at other times. The final timetable, which will provide 24 trains an hour during the peak between Paddington and Whitechapel, should start by May 2023.
Transport commissioner Andy Byford said: ‘When we delivered on our promise to open the central section of the line in the first half of this year, I further promised that Bond Street station would open this autumn and that the next phase of opening would also be achieved within that timeframe. I am excited to see the line unlock quicker and better journey options, greater accessibility, and further connectivity to jobs and leisure for even more people. This will be another giant leap for London’s public transport system, which supports economic growth in the capital and right across the country.’
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is still considering the latest TfL funding offer from the government, but he said: ‘The opening has been a landmark moment, not just for London but for the entire country, helping to contribute £42 billion to the national economy.
‘It’s great news that from November trains will run directly from Reading and Heathrow to Abbey Wood, and from Shenfield to Paddington, seven days a week. Services running on Sundays through central London will also make thousands more journeys quicker, easier and more comfortable.
‘This enhanced capacity will play a crucial role in encouraging people to make the most of the capital and will help support businesses in the heart of our city.’