Transport for London (TfL) and MTR have now signed the contract for the operation of Crossrail services.

The £1.4 billion contract is for eight years with an option to extend to ten years.  

MTR is expected to employ around 1,100 staff providing jobs and apprenticeships for people from communities along the route. 

They will start running services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield from 31 May 2015, taking over the stopping services currently operated by Abellio Greater Anglia. They will be staffing all stations along the route from the first to last train.

Mike Brown MVO, Managing Director London Underground and London Rail, said: "The appointment of MTR brings Crossrail services another step forward. They will be operating London's newest rail line which will help cut journey times, make it easier for people travelling across the city and create jobs and support growth and regeneration along the route. We will be looking to MTR to operate reliable and efficient Crossrail train services from day one."  

Jay Walder, Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation, said: "We are committed to bringing the very best of MTR to Crossrail, and are working hand-in-hand with TfL to establish a new standard of operational reliability and customer experience for railways in Europe. The award of this contract also shows how Hong Kong's expertise and capabilities can contribute to the growth and development of world cities."  

With London's population set to increase to 10 million by 2030 Crossrail will provide a vital boost in rail capacity in the capital. It will connect Reading and Heathrow in the west with Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

Crossrail will be fully integrated as part of the TfL network providing a fast, frequent service linking the east and west and relieving congestion on some of the busiest Tube lines.

Passengers using Crossrail will see reduced journey times and the new stations will be integrated with existing London Underground, DLR, London Overground and National Rail stations making it easy for passengers to change between services.  

  • The £1.4bn contract value is the nominal value of concession payments payable to the Operator over the base 8-year concession term before performance adjustments (bonuses and penalties).
  • Crossrail services are being let as a concession by TfL, similar to the concession let by TfL for London Overground.MTR, along with Arriva UK Trains, operate LOROL to run London Overground Services. Services to Shenfield will initially operate with the current rolling stock but will be gradually replaced in 2017 by the new Crossrail trains.
  • The Crossrail route will serve 40 stations and run 118 km (72 miles) from Reading and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km (13 miles) long tunnels below central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
  • Crossrail services will be introduced as follows:
  • Heathrow to Paddington (mainline platforms) - May 2018 (when the Crossrail concession takes over the Heathrow Connect service)
  • Paddington (Crossrail platforms) to Abbey Wood - December 2018.
  • Paddington (Crossrail platforms) to Shenfield - May 2019.
  • Full through service (including services to Reading) - December 2019.
  • The Crossrail project is jointly sponsored by the Department for Transport and TfL.