Enhanced Train Services Announced for Brighton Pride Weekend
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has announced an enhanced train service for the Brighton Pride weekend, set to take place from August 2-5. The rail operator, which manages Southern and Thameslink, plans to run additional trains with extra carriages to accommodate the expected influx of visitors.
Brighton Pride is one of the UK's largest Pride events. This year's festival promises a vibrant celebration, drawing thousands of attendees to the city. To support the event, GTR has collaborated extensively with event organizers, ensuring smooth and efficient transportation for festival-goers.
Last year's Pride weekend faced significant disruptions due to an overtime ban by train drivers and adverse weather conditions from Storm Antoni, leading to numerous cancellations of trains to and from Brighton. This year, GTR aims to prevent such issues with a robust plan.
The lineup for Brighton Pride 2024 includes prominent acts such as Girls Aloud and Mika as headliners, along with performances by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Billy Porter, and S Club. This star-studded roster is expected to attract large crowds, making efficient and reliable transportation services even more crucial.
Chris Fowler, head of network operations at GTR, expressed the company's enthusiasm for supporting the event. "With so many fantastic things to see and do across Brighton & Hove Pride weekend, we’re really looking forward to bringing people to and from the city to celebrate Pride. As this is a large-scale event, we’re again working incredibly closely with event organizers and city partners to ensure Pride visitors can have lots of fun, whilst keeping safe," Fowler stated.