06.07.12
Peak-time overcrowding worsens – DfT
Rail overcrowding in London during rush hour is at its highest point since privatisation, official figures suggest, despite extra investment on the railway.
Train providers say they now provide 20% more service than 15 years ago.
The level of overcrowding on peak-time trains to and fromLondonrose from 3% in 2010 to 3.2% in 2011, the DfT reported. More than half a million people arrive inLondonby train in the morning peak, 4% above the official capacity. Overcrowding on return journeys from London has also risen from 1.9% to 2.3%.
Similar figures were published for ten other English cities, which showed that overcrowding inManchester’s evening rush hour was slightly worse thanLondonmornings.
An ATOC spokesperson said: “Faster trains and better services are attracting record numbers of people to the railways, but the flip side is overcrowding, and we understand passengers’ frustration when they can’t get a seat.”
Rail minister Norman Baker said: “We have given the green light to Crossrail and Thameslink and are proceeding at full steam with HS2 as well as supporting an important new section of railway inManchesterwhich will relieve longstanding congestion problems and improve transport links between our key northern cities.”
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