Until the early 1980s, it was possible to catch a direct express train to the coast from Sutton to Bognor Regis, Chichester or Portsmouth.

Today, travel to London Victoria takes just over 25 minutes on the direct route via Carshalton and Hackbridge.

Platforms 3 and 4 are on the Epsom Downs Line, which becomes single-track about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) south of the station.

Platforms 1 and 2 can accommodate 12-coach trains, and were used by the express services to Bognor Regis and Portsmouth Harbour until they were diverted in the early 1980s to serve Gatwick Airport.

A planned extension to the Tramlink light rail or a separate bus rapid transit (BRT) system called the Sutton Link will create a new tram or BRT/rail interchange in Sutton, offering services to South Wimbledon via St Helier.

According to a now-deleted consultation, the Sutton Link was expected to reduce public transport journey times from Sutton town centre to Colliers Wood by up to 18 minutes (a 50% reduction) and could accommodate approximately 2,200 passengers per hour.

[12] In 2024, the newly elected MP for Sutton, Luke Taylor, pledged to lobby to make it happen.