Govia Thameslink to change rail timetables from May 17

Following the latest government guidance for passengers, Govia Thameslink Railway will run a different Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern timetable from Sunday, May 17.

The introduction of a new timetable means that passengers should check their journeys before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Steve White, Govia Thameslink's chief operating officer, said: “Please listen to the latest government advice and only travel if you have no other alternative.

"We ask that customers work with us by respecting the requirements for social distancing and personal hygiene so that we can help everyone who needs to travel or who is working on the railway stay safe and well.

"I would like to thank our own key worker colleagues who have shown great fortitude in keeping the railway running and supporting our passengers who must travel.”

The government advice sets out that if people should consider alternatives to public transport if they cannot work from home.

For those who have to use public transport, government guidance recommends:

> Keeping 2 metres apart from others wherever possible.

> Wearing a face covering if you can,

> Using contactless payment where possible.

> Avoiding rush hour travel where feasible.

> Washing or sanitising your hands before and after travel.

> Following advice from staff and being considerate to others.

To help maintain social distancing some extra services will be running and passengers may be asked to queue to enter some larger, busier stations.

In addition, people are advised to leave extra time for their journeys. In the coming days, more information is expected to be made available by GTR.