Overcrowding on South West Trains
I commute daily to the City of London from Surrey. I use South West Trains to get into Waterloo everyday and I have to say their service is appalling. My gripe isn’t about delayed or cancelled trains - I can deal with that every once in a while. What I am having problems accepting is the insane overcrowding on my line that in my opinion is just plain dangerous!
As far as I am aware there are maximum capacities for most buildings/vehicles etc - for example perhaps your local Sainsbury’s has a capacity of five hundred people. If they allow more people in than that, then they would be in breach of health and safety regulations and the fire department would be on their case.
However, on South West trains there appears to be no such restrictions in place. They cram so many people on their carriages that I have on many occasions seen people arguing with each other and fighting to squeeze onto the carriage.
I have taken the matter up with South West trains who said that there is no maximum capacity on their trains and this is something that I find absolutely incredible. Imagine if a train derailed and fell onto its side - people would be crushed to death and suffocate - no doubt about it. Is there anyone else out there who feels the same way I do?
I mean anyone would think that South West trains are running a similar service to that in India where people literally hang out the windows and on the roof etc. I tough the UK was a developed country not a third world place.
By: Extremely annoyed South West Trains Commuter
Information about South West Trains
How do you get more passengers on your train?
South West Trains is installing extra handholds and creating “perches” in place of seats. Just imagine if the airlines caught on to this one!
Photos of South West Trains
Transportimages.com is an excellent resource with thousands of transport images and a special section for photos of trains operated by South West Trains.
South West Trains
The South West Trains website gives information about using South West Trains, the United Kingdoms largest train operating service.
Comments from visitors
:So, the powers that be want to increase rail fares! I don't like paying £100+ to travel standing up for an hour there and an hour back which would only cost me £30 in petrol. Carbon footprint? What about my wallet? Comfort? Leg/back ache v a leisurely drive. Timing? In my car I can travel when I want, not wait for off-peak. The government can only gain by increases in oil prices through fuel tax and vat. I have no choice but to drive a round trip of 56 miles a day to work. No pay rise for 3 years but fuel up around 50%. It might help if there were more than 2 trains a day locally - timed exactly when I start and finish work (I can't run that fast!).
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I live in Glasgow and visited my sister who lives near salisbury I somehow expected the service to have improved from Salisbury to Bristol since my last visit several years ago but it was just as bad,the train was busy when it arrived at Salisbury and at every station more people piled on,there were people standing everywhere and I could not believe that people here should have to put up with such a crap service,i had to stand for an hour and had to pay 18.50 for the privelige,in Scotland a journey of the same duration from say Glasgow to Edinburgh would certainly not set you back 18.50...why are these train companies allowed to charge such high prices yet get away with treating the traveling public like cattle..
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brandweer112 - 17-May-11 18:05
It could all be done deliberately. Why? Read "Going Off The Rails - the madness of John Biddle" by Keith Mapp to find out. It won't make the trains run any better, but it might make you laugh while they don't.
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You buy a ticket to travel from A to B you do not buy a ticket to travel on a specific train. From Guildford to London there are about 8 trains an hour in the rush hour. No one is forced to get on the train if it is crowded wait for the next one, or maybe once all the seats are taken we stop people boarding the train that would be much safer all though we would probably have a safety issue on the platform because of the amount of passengers we would leave behind. As for cleanliness the trains are cleaned every night perhaps you need to think where you put your cups and newspapers when you get off the train. I lived in Germany for 6 years you get far more trains between major stations than they do, and the Americans think our service is wonderful or so they tell me and they don't understand what all the complaining is about. But if you had nothing to complain about how else would you fill your time while traveling on our overcrowded trains that are probably running late or have been cancelled. By frustrated train crew
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I commute from Farnborough to waterloo on a regular basis and am also completely fed up with the overcrowding. It's ridiculous, why can't they just put on some extact coaches. Also, why should those having to stand have to pay the same amount of money as someone in a seat.
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I'm a researcher for a TV production company called Hardcash Productions - www.hardcashproductions.com - and I'm currently researching a documentary looking at conditions on the UK's rail network, as experienced by regular passengers. We would like to know if your experiences reflect recent reports of overcrowding, high cost of tickets and unreliable services on some lines.
We would very much like to talk to anyone who is a regular passenger/commuter and has strong feelings on any or all of these subjects either way.
If you are interested please call us on 02072532782 or email us your contact details and a time to get in touch with you at hardcash@hardcashproductions.com.
We look forward to hearing from you
Delphine
Hardcash Productions
We would very much like to talk to anyone who is a regular passenger/commuter and has strong feelings on any or all of these subjects either way.
If you are interested please call us on 02072532782 or email us your contact details and a time to get in touch with you at hardcash@hardcashproductions.com.
We look forward to hearing from you
Delphine
Hardcash Productions
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I totally agree with the above report. I have been getting the Basingstoke to London train ( and yes, Basingstoke is a London overspill town so damned right I can live there and work in my countries capital ) Since the snow this year, most of the services have been reduced from 12 through to 8 coaches and others from 9 down to 6. This has meant that most trains are now seriously over crowded. I suffer from anxiety attacks and one of the triggers if feeling enclosed. It has certainly got worse since the turn of the year so, my course of action, resign from my job. Yup, well done south west trains, you have actually run such a bad service, in a recession, someone would rather stack shelves at their local supermarket rather than use your service to get into the city to earn a decent wage. I find it ironic as well that on most of these services, there are at least 2 first class coaches which are half empty. Here is an idea SWT, remove a first class coach and put a standard class one on the train instead. That way at least there will be 50 more seats. Also, I dont understand why they wont increase their rolling stock, surely causing people not to use their service is bad for business, rejig some of the non peak time services to lesser frequency or shorter trains and bolt these on to the peak time trains where you are getting more revenue.
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Craig from Basingstoke - 18-Feb-10 17:50
I email SWT this January in relation to overcrowding caused by a lack of rolling stock. Trains that were normally running as twelve coaches were eight or even four. The guards normally providing various reasons for the lack of rolling stock. I liked the one saying the carriages being out of service for modifications, only thing I can think of is they are going to remove all the seats.
SWT answer is below, not exactly encouraging, it sounds like they have just enough rolling stock to provide a service, if any break down then there is no standby rolling stock.
Thank you for your email of 03 February 2010.
Unfortunately, if any train fails or there is a problem, we are forced to run the train with less carriages than normal. We do not have any plans to purchase additional stock.
As advised in my previous email, we will run any train with less carriages than advertised rather than cancel the service.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Kind Regards
******
Customer Relations Officer
SWT answer is below, not exactly encouraging, it sounds like they have just enough rolling stock to provide a service, if any break down then there is no standby rolling stock.
Thank you for your email of 03 February 2010.
Unfortunately, if any train fails or there is a problem, we are forced to run the train with less carriages than normal. We do not have any plans to purchase additional stock.
As advised in my previous email, we will run any train with less carriages than advertised rather than cancel the service.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Kind Regards
******
Customer Relations Officer
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Alexis - Why are things like t - 4-Feb-10 13:45
If you're so concerned about boarding a crowded train why don't you catch the next one? There's plenty of them but of course you would want everyone else to get off, wouldn't you? I get on these trains and see every other seat unoccupied while people stand because they don't want to sit next to someone else. I bet you are one of those inconsiderate people who sits in the aisle seat and puts you bacg/coat on the window seat and only begrudingly moves if someone has the audacity to ask to to move your stuff
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considerate commuter - 2-Feb-10 21:35
What goes on here laura? surely there wouldn't be that much extra running costs for an extra couple of carriges on the end of the train?
But this has been going on for years with the train companies,
About time it was re-nationalised.
But this has been going on for years with the train companies,
About time it was re-nationalised.
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Gainsborough lad. - 18-Nov-09 22:28
Hello.
I totally agree with you! I came across your post just now as I am trying to find out if there are restriction on the trains. I was on a train from London Waterloo to Portsmouth yesterday and I ended up blacking out from being so crammed in! My partner had to carry me of the train at the next stop! It was rediculous! I could not move or breathe- hence blacking out! This should not be allowed! There was about 15 of us crammed in between the doors in between carriages- it was not bad when I got on at London Waterloo but then more people were allowed to get on at the next stop! Crazy and I am going to take this further! I paid almost £30 for my ticket and do not expect to pay that and then have to travel in those conditions!
I am certainly going to take this further and ensure it is not something that is just brushed under the carpet!
I totally agree with you! I came across your post just now as I am trying to find out if there are restriction on the trains. I was on a train from London Waterloo to Portsmouth yesterday and I ended up blacking out from being so crammed in! My partner had to carry me of the train at the next stop! It was rediculous! I could not move or breathe- hence blacking out! This should not be allowed! There was about 15 of us crammed in between the doors in between carriages- it was not bad when I got on at London Waterloo but then more people were allowed to get on at the next stop! Crazy and I am going to take this further! I paid almost £30 for my ticket and do not expect to pay that and then have to travel in those conditions!
I am certainly going to take this further and ensure it is not something that is just brushed under the carpet!
+12
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Laura - Very annoyed! - 18-Nov-09 11:55
The reason South West Trains services are overcrowded is because people travel too far into work each day. If employers in the City started only employing Londoners in those jobs, we would soon see the present dangerous levels of overcrowding disappear.
Bring this country back to what it used to be: people living near their work. Millions of people commuting into London every day is just nonsense!
Bring this country back to what it used to be: people living near their work. Millions of people commuting into London every day is just nonsense!
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Safety on trains. Apparently according to health and safety, overloading of trains with standing passengers is OK. Yet if I don't wear a seat belt or use a mobile in the car it's an instant fine, whilst train companies can happily put many more peoples lives at risk with immunity.
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I commute daily to Hounslow from South Croydon, Surrey. I use South West Trains and Southern and their "service" is several steps below any acceptable level of what can be considered appalling.
I also don't have a problem with the occasional (sometimes frequent) delays which are normally only a minute or two. However when the electronic boards announce a cancelled service it would be a real treat to know why this is the case.
The biggest problem is the fact that the coaches are now so overcrowded especially to and from Clapham that thinking I might get a seat is as wishful as a belief in the truthfulness of politicians. I agree with another poster that the overcrowding must surely be a breach of the ever-entertaining Health & Safety policies.
I don't even care that my monthly rail pass has increased in price by 5.8% but for that above-inflation increase surely it's not a bridge too far to expect to park my backside on a seat or even have enough space to read the newspaper.
Does anyone know whether there is any point in approaching the rail companies?
I also don't have a problem with the occasional (sometimes frequent) delays which are normally only a minute or two. However when the electronic boards announce a cancelled service it would be a real treat to know why this is the case.
The biggest problem is the fact that the coaches are now so overcrowded especially to and from Clapham that thinking I might get a seat is as wishful as a belief in the truthfulness of politicians. I agree with another poster that the overcrowding must surely be a breach of the ever-entertaining Health & Safety policies.
I don't even care that my monthly rail pass has increased in price by 5.8% but for that above-inflation increase surely it's not a bridge too far to expect to park my backside on a seat or even have enough space to read the newspaper.
Does anyone know whether there is any point in approaching the rail companies?
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The Moral Fibre - 12-Jan-09 20:27
I agree with you with the south west train services.
But, I don't like the fact you are calling India a third world nation, when it in fact is one of the fastest developing countries.
Get some research done before saying something.
Idiot!
But, I don't like the fact you are calling India a third world nation, when it in fact is one of the fastest developing countries.
Get some research done before saying something.
Idiot!
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I totally agree with the comments about overcrowding on South West Trains. One of the peak trains from Poole to Waterloo is frequently reduced from 10 to 5 carriages. Using this daily for commuting has turned into an extremely unpleasant journey. South West Trains need to act and resolve the problem. People are paying good money for a season ticket and travelling in miserable conditions.
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Annoyed commuter - 16-Sep-08 11:54
I would be happy to sit on the roof, at least it would be a seat!
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Wokingham to Richmond Dilay - 9-Aug-08 08:00
Studies have shown that you're actually safer in an overcrowded train which crashes - people cushion each other from impact. Add to the fact that you're more likely to be struck by lightning or win the lottery jackpot than being in a train crash.
The overcrowding is horrendous of course, but that's the Government's fault and that of our custom of working set hours.
The overcrowding is horrendous of course, but that's the Government's fault and that of our custom of working set hours.
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problem is, train opperators can't afford to buy trains outright they have to lease them, the more they lease the more it costs, and they don't have the money to do that, Public transport is about business not public transport these days.
My Dad works for them And I can assure you the Drivers have more gripes about the trains than the Public do! consider the trains have air conditioning, not in the drivers cab, in last years heat wave, temperatures in the cabs reached over 45 Celsius, in a safety critical role, south west trains didn't even give them free drinks! the drivers seats are badly designed and lead to injuries due to operation of the AWS (advanced warning system) pedals on some trains. the list goes on, but the drivers (and guards) have to put up with it for hours on end.
I'm not belittling the gripes of passengers, in fact I'm all for them being resolved but whilst the railway is privatised I don't see that there will be any major improvements at all.
the reason a train has no safe limit is partly because it would be impossible to enforce and partly because a train is just as likley to derail when empty as when full and standing.
My Dad works for them And I can assure you the Drivers have more gripes about the trains than the Public do! consider the trains have air conditioning, not in the drivers cab, in last years heat wave, temperatures in the cabs reached over 45 Celsius, in a safety critical role, south west trains didn't even give them free drinks! the drivers seats are badly designed and lead to injuries due to operation of the AWS (advanced warning system) pedals on some trains. the list goes on, but the drivers (and guards) have to put up with it for hours on end.
I'm not belittling the gripes of passengers, in fact I'm all for them being resolved but whilst the railway is privatised I don't see that there will be any major improvements at all.
the reason a train has no safe limit is partly because it would be impossible to enforce and partly because a train is just as likley to derail when empty as when full and standing.
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You can't really blame South West Trains for the frequent overcrowding on peak-time services because it's the number of people choosing to travel from the same places at the same time in the morning that creates overcrowding. Where all the suburban routes into London converge around Clapham Junction and Raynes Park there is no way service frequency could be increased. Every service carries 8 carriages. And (touch wood) the services have remained reliable for a long time now. There IS a problem with the numbers of passengers and at some time in the near future, the Government or the GLA with have to draw up a staggered office hours requirement on businesses in London. This way the morning peak could be spread across 3 hours instead of 1.
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