Southeastern Olympic Timetable published

The Olympic train timetable for 2012 has been published by Southeastern and is available on their website at http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/download/5296.2/mainline-4-olympic/

There will be no direct High Speed services from Folkestone Central and Folkestone West to St Pancras during that time, with a change required at Ashford international. Average journey times are around 1 hour and 15 minutes, instead of the usual service time of just under 1 hour.

Southeastern say that all high speed monthly or longer season ticket holders will receive the difference between the high speed fare and Mainline fare in compensation on a pro rata basis for the duration the ticket holder is affected by the Games, and that they will be contacting all those affected in 2012.

Lib Dem County Councillor for Folkestone West and sandgate tim Prater commented:

"I understand the need for a javelin service to serve Stratford international during the Olympics, but it's a real blow to regular users of the High Speed service from Folkestone that they will have to change at Ashford and see their journey times increased by around 15 minutes in each direction.

"Although season ticket holders will be entitled to compensation, it would seem that the cost for non-season ticket holders to St Pancras will remain the same during that time - despite the service taking longer and reuiring a change. At the least, Southeastern could promise to cut those fares for the duration of the Olympic timetable to the coat of the non-high speed service."