A pilot scheme to promote better use of suburban metro-style trains was launched on 30 September 2003 in South London.

The Overground Network (ON) pilot aims to encourage passengers to make more use of London's off-peak services.

The scheme involves four routes and will promote consistent standards for service frequency, passenger information and station security, and brings investment to upgrade station facilities.

ON is a partnership between the Strategic Rail Authority, Transport for London and three train operators. It was developed in response to passenger feedback and is a key part of Mayor of London Ken Livingstone's objective of promoting metro-style services across the capital.

The scheme was launched at Wandsworth Common station by SRA chairman Richard Bowker, Ian Brown, managing director of TfL's London Rail, and Charles Horton of South Central Trains.

It will be piloted on four routes: Waterloo to Teddington via Wimbledon, Waterloo to Twickenham via Richmond, Victoria to East and West Croydon via Norbury, and London Bridge to Dartford via Greenwich.

All 41 stations meet the ON standards of:
FREQUENCY A minimum of four trains per hour during daytime off-peak (Monday to Saturday)
INFORMATION New station signs and better information points, which include clearer route and network maps, better frequency information and details of connections to other modes of public transport
SECURITY CCTV coverage and help points.

Additional evening services, funded by TfL's London Rail are also being piloted between London Bridge and Dartford, increasing frequency on Mondays to Fridays from two to four trains per hour until 10pm.

The ON pilot will be promoted by an advertising and marketing campaign aimed at those living near the pilot routes. One key aim of the pilot is to test the effectiveness of this campaign in communicating with the public.

The ON pilot is funded by the SRA, TfL and South Central Trains, Connex South Eastern and South West Trains. The scheme was developed in collaboration with the London Transport Users Committee and the South London Boroughs, represented by the South and West London Transport Conference (SWELTRAC) and the South East London Transport Strategy (SELTRANS).

SRA chairman Richard Bowker said: When people see the Overground Network sign we want them to associate it with frequent services, good standards of information and a secure station environment. This pilot is a good example of the rail industry listening to passenger feedback and working together to exploit the existing network for the good of users.

London Rail's Ian Brown said: Major investment in London's rail network is needed. The development of metro services for London is a key policy of the Mayor's Transport Strategy and this project has shown that value for money station enhancements to aid metro development, can be achieved now - providing we all work together. It has required only low-cost investment yet it will make an important difference to the users of over 40 stations on the south London rail system. We aim to identify further projects to maintain the momentum to improve integration and will be continuing the work with the SRA and other stakeholders to build upon the successful work of this pilot scheme.

Suzanne May of the London Transport Users Committee said: We are pleased that our report South London Overground proved a catalyst for the development of the Overground Network Pilot. We are delighted that the SRA, TfL and the train operators have come together to make this happen. We hope this will be the beginning of something that can grow over the next few years, delivering greater benefits to Londoners.

The reaction of passengers to the pilot will be taken into account by TfL and the SRA when deciding how to take the scheme forward. In the meantime, TfL, the SRA and the train operators are working closely together to identify further potential routes. Investment has already been earmarked by TfL London Rail to bring the North London Line up to the ON standards.

Info from : Matthew Bulbeck

More info: www.overgroundnetwork.com