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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 Sainsburys 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.
They cram so many people on their carriages - people arguing with each other
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
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Always delayed
Always hot
and above all Always overcrowded to the point peoples faces are squashed up to the windows - it scares me - if there was an accident people would sufficate
Is this really a civilised way to run a company...where is the health and safety zealots when you need them
And to put the cherry on the cake - it's expensive
Personally my journey is so horrendous that, if I didn't have to get into town for work, I wouldn't travel on these trains if THEY paid me
I emailed and complained (actually I do this on an almost daily basis) and they sent me a reply today to the tune of ....TOUGH!
The problem is that we have no other choice - and they know it
I would love to make a stand and ask EVERYONE not to pay for one week and we storm the barriers
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
But this has been going on for years with the train companies,
About time it was re-nationalised.
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!
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!
Friday Lunchtime
Correct timing and the correct ticket generally solves the problem.
(Hoping to score a lot of red arrows for this one!)