Image via Shutterstock
Heathrow Express has taken the majority of its trains out of service as a “safety precaution”.
A non-stopping 15 minute service departing every 15 minutes will continue to run between Paddington and the airport over the next 48 hours on trains usually used on the Heathrow Connect service.
Heathrow Connect will be suspended temporarily.
Heathrow Express tickets, which will be reduced during this period, will be required to travel on the non-stopping service as usual. A single will cost £17 and a return £28.
A “technical issue” was identified during a routine maintenance check on Heathrow Express trains and in the coming days each will be inspected by a specialist team.
Passengers who wish to travel to one of the stations on the Heathrow Connect route are advised to take the 140 bus from Heathrow to Hayes and Harlington, followed by a Great Western Railway service to Paddington.
Great Western Railway will be putting on additional trains between London Paddington and Hayes and Harlington.
Pre-bought Heathrow Connect tickets will be accepted on the Heathrow Express service.
Any customers who have purchased Business First tickets from Heathrow Express will be entitled to a full refund.
Fraser Brown, Heathrow Express Director, said: “While we regret the inconvenience this will cause to our customers and airport colleagues, safety remains our top priority.
“We are working with Siemens engineers, who manage our depot site and the maintenance of our trains, to understand the extent of this issue.
“When we are aware of what we are dealing with, we will be able to make a decision on when a full service will resume.”
A further update is expected on Tuesday March 1.