Latest Rail News

09.09.15

‘Top 10’ overcrowded train services revealed

Government data for the ‘top 10’ overcrowded train services in England and Wales during the autumn of 2014 has been released today (9 September).

Figures are taken from internal management information, but some are derived from one-off measurements and thus do not necessarily represent the service over a period of time.

The list is determined based on ‘load factor’, or the number of standard class passengers on a service expressed as a percentage of the maximum capacity for that service. Figures for short journeys take into consideration standing allowances.

In the latest figures, TransPennine Express featured prominently on the list, with the Glasgow-Manchester 04.22 service having a load factor of 186% – almost double its limit.

The franchise’s Manchester Airport-Edinburgh service on two different time periods were also on the list, with overcrowding rates varying from 185% to 161% in the afternoon.

However these three services are now routing via Wigan rather than Bolton, which can explain their appearances in the list. Previously, the crowded part of the journey took only 13 minutes from Manchester Oxford Road and was therefore out of scope for inclusion since standing allowance was included.

Several services to London Paddington and Waterloo formed part of the list, operated by First Great Western, Heathrow Connect and South West Trains.

In the previous set of figures (spring 2013), nearly all overcrowded services were either to or from London, with the sole exception of Bedford-Brighton.

Further information on the figures can be found in the government report.

(Top image c. Teilo Colley, PA Wire)

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