Elizabeth line welcomes over one million passengers within first five days

The brand new Elizabeth line has got off to a hugely promising start after welcoming more than one million passengers in its first five days of operation.

Since opening last week on Tuesday 24 May, the central section of the transformation new Elizabeth line between Paddington and Abbey Wood has seen more than one million journeys. 

And across the whole line, which stretches from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, more than two million journeys have been made since last Tuesday. 

The railway has received an incredible reception from Londoners and transport enthusiasts from around the world. Businesses across the line have also welcomed the arrival of the Elizabeth line, and for many the new railway marks an exciting new chapter in the capital. The Elizabeth line connects areas including world-leading financial centres in the Square Mile, and Canary Wharf, to key business and events hubs in the east including the Royal Docks, as well as London’s cultural and creative heart in the West End.

Howard Smith, TfL’s director of the Elizabeth line, said: “It has been fantastic to see the Elizabeth line receive such a great reception. Customers have been flocking to the railway in the hundreds of thousands each day since opening to marvel at our beautiful new stations but also to experience drastically shorter journey times. It is already having a transformative impact on local businesses and opening up access to new areas of London."

London is paying for most of the Elizabeth line, with nearly 70% of the total funding paid by London - made up of roughly 30% from London's farepayers, around 40% from London's businesses - combined with 30% from government. Businesses from right around the UK have benefited from work connected to the Elizabeth line.

Throughout its construction, the railway has had an extensive supply chain which has supported businesses of all sizes, and jobs and skills creation across the whole country. The Class 345 trains running on the Elizabeth line were built in Derby, roundels and signage for the line were supplied by a family-run business on the Isle of Wight, and a company based in Leeds strengthened and protected London's Victorian sewer networks during construction.