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29 Aug 2024

Southeastern becomes the first UK train operator to set up a WhatsApp Channel for sharing travel updates

Southeastern becomes the first UK train operator to set up a WhatsApp Channel for sharing travel updates: WhatsApp channel

  • Southeastern launches a WhatsApp Channel offering a new way to get the latest travel information
  • Customers can sign up for alerts using their existing WhatsApp account
  • The train operator will provide service updates directly to their mobile phones

Southeastern has become the UK’s first train operator to create a WhatsApp Channel for broadcasting its travel updates.

The new service allows customers to sign up through their existing WhatsApp account so they can get up-to-the minute travel information directly from the Southeastern control centre in London.

This is in addition to the range of other ways Southeastern customers can stay right up to date, including on the Southeastern app, website, social media channels, as well as the announcements on trains and in stations. 

Passengers can also send questions directly to the Southeastern control team on their WhatsApp number if they need specific advice and information. Those conversations are private and not visible to other users as they are on some social media channels such as X (Twitter).

Southeastern’s Head of Information Delivery, John Till said:

“We are building a better, more reliable and sustainable railway and a key part of that is providing our customers with accurate, timely and easily accessible information.

We know it can be frustrating when services are disrupted but we hope this new channel will help to explain what is happening and provide useful advice for customers to continue on their journey.

“Signing up for the new WhatsApp Channel is quick and easy. The details are available on our website, along with all the other ways you can get our updates.”

Contact information

David Meechan

Communications Manager - Major Programmes

david.meechan@southeasternrailway.co.uk

Notes to editors

Click on the link below for the Southeastern WhatsApp Channel:

www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vafstp3Fcow1Zxtn0Y0e

If customers would like a one-to-one update from Southeastern, they can contact their dedicated social media team 24/7 by sending a message on WhatsApp to 07866 002690 or contacting them through their X (Twitter) channel - @SE_Railway.

Visit the Southeastern WhatsApp page for more details.

https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/live-travel-information/whatsapp

For more information on all the Southeastern travel tools please visit:

https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/live-travel-information/travel-tools

About Southeastern

Southeastern is one of the UK’s most reliable operators with more than 1,700 services a day to 181 stations across Kent, south-east London and East Sussex.

It operates the UK's first domestic highspeed service and carried 128 million customers last year. It employs more than 4,500 people.

Southeastern is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL’. DOHL also has responsibility for LNER, Northern Trains Limited and TransPennine Trains Limited. For more information, contact press.office@southeasternrailway.co.uk.

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