Gatwick Express. Photo: eyematter / Shutterstock.com Gatwick Express services have resumed following a railway trespasser incident that disrupted train services between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport on Thursday morning, November 12.
However, passengers are still facing severe delays, with some journeys taking significantly longer than usual.
The incident led to the suspension of Gatwick Express services and overcrowding at several stations as passengers sought alternative ways to reach the airport.
According to updates from Gatwick Express, the trespasser is no longer on the railway, and power has been restored to the affected lines between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria.
The operator subsequently announced that services had been reinstated, with the first scheduled trains departing at 09:39 from Brighton to London Victoria and at 10:29 from London Victoria to Brighton.
Gatwick Express warned that trains would initially operate at reduced speeds and that severe delays of at least 60 minutes were still expected. Services may also be changed or canceled while the operator works to restore the normal timetable.
During the disruption, passengers traveling between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport were advised to consider alternative Southern services towards East Croydon or Purley and Reigate, where onward bus connections were available.
Ticket acceptance was also extended to alternative Southern and Thameslink services, as well as selected other rail services. Gatwick Express additionally confirmed that affected passengers could use Metrobus route 272, serving destinations including Brighton, Preston Park, Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Wivelsfield, Haywards Heath, Three Bridges and Crawley.
Passengers were warned that alternative journeys could take at least 30 minutes longer than usual and that available services might not have sufficient capacity for everyone.
Travelers heading to Gatwick Airport are advised to check live journey information before leaving and allow additional time to reach the airport. Although trains are running again, further changes and cancellations remain possible as services gradually return to their regular schedule.