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Latest News
This section of our site gives all of our latest news and press releases on changes and improvements to Southeastern train services as well as articles on the transport industry as a whole.
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13 Aug 2026Southeastern to roll out more than 200 new ticket machines as part of £9 million customer experience upgrade
- More than 200 new Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) to be introduced across the network, replacing machines that are in some cases more than 20 years old
- New machines will provide a more modern, accessible and reliable customer experience, including high-contrast displays and adjustable-height screens
- Investment also includes upgraded ticket office technology and new handheld devices for frontline colleagues, as part of Southeastern's £9 million wider investment in stations, trains, digital services and infrastructure
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27 Jul 2026London Charing Cross and Waterloo East closes for 22 days as railway carries out £20millon programme of engineering work, but routes into London remain open
- Essential works will replace 36-year-old track, sections of platform and strengthening structures
- Major changes will affect Southeastern services for 22 days this summer, with no trains at Charing Cross or Waterloo East and services diverted across London
- Passengers urged to plan ahead and check before travelling, as timetables, service frequency and first and last train times will change
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16 Jul 2026East Sussex communities invited to name new Bayeux Tapestry-inspired train
- Communities invited to help choose the name of a Southeastern train linked to the story of 1066
- Four names inspired by the Battle of Hastings shortlisted for public vote
- Voting now open at Hastings and Battle stations, with around 10,000 votes available
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09 Jul 2026Sara Pascoe launches free reading activities for kids across UK train network this summer
- Free reading packs available on trains and at stations, helping keep children entertained on journeys this summer
- Thousands of packs for ages 4–11, making train travel an easy, low-cost way to support reading and family time
- Supports families facing summer boredom and cost pressures, with many parents looking for simple ways to keep children engaged
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02 Jul 2026Southeastern sets out social mobility impact report ‘On Track to Opportunity’ as data reveals sharp inequalities across the South East
- New data reveals sharp inequalities across the South East
- Report from publicly owned Southeastern and The Purpose Coalition sets out how the railway is supporting communities with connectivity, investment, jobs and partnerships
- Report comes as Rail Industry launches Social Mobility Programme to positively impact thousands of lives every year by opening more opportunities
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29 Jun 2026Major London stations close as railway carries out £20m upgrade this summer
- Essential £20m upgrade to replace ageing track and strengthen structures, improving safety and reliability for customers
- Upgrades bring major changes for 22 days this summer, with no Southeastern trains at Charing Cross or Waterloo East and services diverted across London
- Plan ahead and check before you travel, as timetables, service frequency and first and last train times will change
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25 Jun 2026Southeastern extends advice to avoid non essential travel as extreme heat continues across Kent and the South East
- Advice to avoid non‑essential travel now extended to Friday 26 June due to continued high temperatures
- High risk of disruption with services subject to short‑notice changes and longer journeys
- Additional staff, water and support in place to help customers who need to travel to do so as safely as possible
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23 Jun 2026Southeastern urges customers to only travel if absolutely necessary during record heatwave
- Met Office red weather warning in place with extreme temperatures
- Customers are being urged to only take essential train journeys to, from or within areas affected by extreme heat
- Southeastern and Network Rail are putting additional staff, water and support in place to help customers travel as safely and comfortably as possible
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14 May 2026
Southeastern delivers May timetable improvements with more capacity on busiest routes
- New timetable from 17 May brings more frequent services, extra space and better connections
- Peak Blackfriars services reinstated and additional highspeed and Maidstone East services introduced to improve capacity and boost choice
- Customers urged to check before they travel as some times, stopping patterns and train formations will change to improve performance