Transport for London commissioner Andy Byford said there had been a “huge number of extra passengers” using services since the Queen’s death on September 8, but demand would “peak” on Monday. “We are in for what is probably one of the busiest days that Transport for London has ever faced. It’s hard to say exactly how many extra people [will travel]but we are preparing for potentially a million people right within the footprint of the royal palaces and Hyde Park,” Byford said. Visitors have been warned that the network could be overwhelmed if too many people travel home immediately after the funeral departs Westminster shortly after midday, with transport bosses urging mourners to delay their journeys and check for travel updates. Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy said it was the biggest public transport outage since the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and warned trains would be “extremely busy”. “We are working closely with all train operators to run extra trains during the day and night,” he said. “To help us provide the best possible experience and avoid long queues at stations, we ask people not to rush home after the funeral and processions, but to take their time and experience London on this memorable day ». The latest figures from Trainline show that demand for services in London on Monday is 56% above the level recorded on the same day last week. Rail companies, including LNER and East Midlands Railway, have warned that services into London will be very busy on Monday. Passengers were urged to check travel updates before starting their journeys and to book seats where possible. Around 250 extra train services will run on the day of the funeral – including some overnight trains – and Network Rail has postponed engineering work. London stations will be open overnight to provide refuge for mourners struggling to get home, and fixed ‘welfare trains’ will be used as waiting areas, with priority given to vulnerable and elderly visitors. Overnight trains only serve limited destinations, mainly within the M25. National Highways has suspended planned motorway closures across England and will deploy extra traffic officers to motorways and A-roads around London to carry out patrols, keep vehicles moving and assist emergency services. Three Tube stations near the funeral – Westminster, St James’s Park and Hyde Park Corner – will be closed for most of Monday morning to avoid overcrowding. TfL warned that additional short-term security measures may be needed at other stations, including closures, queuing, non-stopping trains and changes to station entrances and exits. Subscribe to Business Today Get ready for the business day – we’ll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Buses will be diverted and Victoria Bus Station will be closed due to local road closures, with bus services starting to move to alternative terminals around the capital from 4pm on Sunday. Passengers arriving at London train stations are advised to avoid public transport and continue their journey on foot. More than 100 Heathrow flights will be canceled to avoid disruptive aircraft noise procedures at Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle. The airport said 15% of its 1,200 flights due to take off or land on Monday would be disrupted. Flights to and from the UK’s biggest airport will be halted for half an hour on Monday to ensure the two minutes’ silence is not interrupted. Early afternoon arrivals will stop to avoid planes landing in the west of the capital during the Queen’s hearse procession and the airport will stop take-offs later so as not to disturb the ceremonial procession to Windsor. TfL services were busier than usual over the weekend as visitors arrived ahead of the funeral. Metro rides on Friday September 16 reached 3.02 million, up 9% compared to the previous week, and reached 5.29 million on Saturday, up 8%. Bus journeys in London on Friday rose 5% to 5.33 million compared to the previous week and rose 3% on Saturday to 4.21 million.
