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Thousands of commuters across London will see their travel costs reduced by over a third and journey times massively reduced from today (24 May 2022) as the Elizabeth line officially opens to the public.

Thanks to 拢9 billion of government investment, almost half of the project鈥檚 total cost of almost 拢19 billion (and an additional 拢2.3 billion in investment from Network Rail), trains on the new line will reduce journey times from Abbey Wood to Paddington from 58 to 29 minutes. They will also cut ticket prices by more than a third, from 拢6.30 to 拢4.30 鈥� saving passengers money at a time when costs are rising 鈥� while also facilitating economic growth in the long term. 聽

Bringing an estimated 拢42 billion to the UK economy, the state-of-the-art line will see each train carry up to 1,500 passengers, increasing central London鈥檚 rail capacity by 10%, transforming travel across the city and connecting聽local communities to the centre of London quicker than ever before.鈥�

To bring this line to life, more than 55,000 jobs and 1,000 apprenticeships have been created over the past 14 years with over 5,000 of these jobs given to previously unemployed workers. Ninety-six percent of contracts for the project have been awarded to companies within Britain, with 60% of these going to businesses based outside of London 鈥� ensuring taxpayer money used to build the line will bring benefits to the entire UK for decades to come.鈥€�

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said:鈥�

As iconic as its namesake, the Elizabeth line is a beacon of British success, not just for this marvel of engineering but for the enormous benefits it brings to the entire nation with聽拢42 billion for the UK economy and 55,000 jobs just 2 of many. 聽

London鈥檚 transport network is its lifeblood and the 拢9 billion we鈥檝e contributed to make the Elizabeth line a reality is once again testament to our unwavering support for this marvellous city, its inspiring people and the millions of visitors it attracts every year.聽

All Elizabeth line stations between Paddington and Woolwich provide level access, with all 41 stations eventually being step-free, ensuring that everyone can enjoy cheaper and faster travel across London, as well as the stunning new stations on route.

John Dickie, Chief Executive of London First, said:

By connecting airports, offices, homes, shops and leisure activities聽more聽quickly, easily聽and accessibly, the Elizabeth line will be transformative for Londoners and visitors alike.聽

This project is a聽clear聽demonstration of what can be achieved when business and all levels of聽government work together for the good of the national economy.

With a quarter of carbon emissions coming from transport聽and the project鈥檚聽supply chain聽contracts awarded up and down the country, it is an investment in both a net zero future and聽levelling up. The Elizabeth line is聽a project the whole country can be proud of.

This 拢9 billion investment in the Elizabeth line is the latest example of the government鈥檚 commitment to London and the transport network it depends on. The opening follows close to聽拢5 billion of funding given to Transport for London throughout the pandemic to keep vital聽 transport聽services running.

This is in addition to over a further billion pounds for each聽year聽of聽last October鈥檚聽Spending Review and a commitment to explore a long-term funding聽settlement, all at a time of significant financial pressure for the nation, because investment in UK infrastructure will drive productivity and create jobs 鈥� contributing to a high-wage, high-skill economy.

Today鈥檚 opening follows a ceremonial opening last week in which Her Majesty The Queen unveiled a plaque at Paddington Station.