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Unions demand change after report into London's 'cattle-truck' trains Unions demand change after report into London's 'cattle-truck' trains
(30 days later)
More than a third of rail passengers are forced to stand on trains arriving in parts of London in the morning rush hour, according to official figures that show rail capacity in the capital has failed to keep pace with demand.More than a third of rail passengers are forced to stand on trains arriving in parts of London in the morning rush hour, according to official figures that show rail capacity in the capital has failed to keep pace with demand.
Almost 35% of passengers arriving at Blackfriars on weekday mornings stand, making it the country’s most overcrowded station, as do nearly a third of those arriving at other stations including Waterloo, Fenchurch Street and Moorgate.Almost 35% of passengers arriving at Blackfriars on weekday mornings stand, making it the country’s most overcrowded station, as do nearly a third of those arriving at other stations including Waterloo, Fenchurch Street and Moorgate.
The figures have led to criticism of “cattle truck-style conditions” from union leaders and passenger groups, including calls for rail franchises to be renationalised.The figures have led to criticism of “cattle truck-style conditions” from union leaders and passenger groups, including calls for rail franchises to be renationalised.
According to the Department for Transport (DfT), 581,400 rail passengers arrived at London terminals during the morning peak of a typical autumn weekday in 2015, an increase of 3.2% over the year before.According to the Department for Transport (DfT), 581,400 rail passengers arrived at London terminals during the morning peak of a typical autumn weekday in 2015, an increase of 3.2% over the year before.
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Every single major London station operated in excess of its capacity, with the worst being Blackfriars where nearly 15% more passengers arrived than services were designed to handle. Across the UK, major stations operated on average 5% over capacity.Every single major London station operated in excess of its capacity, with the worst being Blackfriars where nearly 15% more passengers arrived than services were designed to handle. Across the UK, major stations operated on average 5% over capacity.
The report said: “The worsening crowding levels show that capacity provision is not coping with rising levels of passenger demand, which has been the case in London and a number of other cities.”The report said: “The worsening crowding levels show that capacity provision is not coping with rising levels of passenger demand, which has been the case in London and a number of other cities.”
According to the data released by DfT, 30% of rail passengers travelling into central London on the 397 services that arrive between 8am and 9am – nearly 100,000 people – have to stand up. The return journey is little better, with 17% of passengers - almost 37,000 people – standing up on outward-bound services between 5pm and 6pm.According to the data released by DfT, 30% of rail passengers travelling into central London on the 397 services that arrive between 8am and 9am – nearly 100,000 people – have to stand up. The return journey is little better, with 17% of passengers - almost 37,000 people – standing up on outward-bound services between 5pm and 6pm.
All major cities in England and Wales apart from Newcastle experienced growth in the number of rail passengers over the past year. In London, more than 160,000 additional passengers travelled by train compared with autumn 2011, the figures showed.All major cities in England and Wales apart from Newcastle experienced growth in the number of rail passengers over the past year. In London, more than 160,000 additional passengers travelled by train compared with autumn 2011, the figures showed.
Paul Maynard, the new rail minister, said: “These statistics reveal the unprecedented scale of passenger demand, with journeys doubling in the past 20 years. We are investing a record £40bn into the network to address this, delivering 3,700 extra carriages by 2019 and providing a huge boost to capacity through programmes like HS2, Crossrail and the £6.5bn Thameslink programme.”Paul Maynard, the new rail minister, said: “These statistics reveal the unprecedented scale of passenger demand, with journeys doubling in the past 20 years. We are investing a record £40bn into the network to address this, delivering 3,700 extra carriages by 2019 and providing a huge boost to capacity through programmes like HS2, Crossrail and the £6.5bn Thameslink programme.”
But union leaders slammed the latest figures, saying they were evidence that two decades of rail privatisation had failed passengers. Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, said: “These figures mean that thousands of commuters into London have to travel in cattle truck-style conditions while also paying the highest fares in Europe just to do so. It is a scandal that this is still happening 20 years after the failure of rail privatisation. We need a publicly run railway with real focus on improving capacity and cutting fares.”But union leaders slammed the latest figures, saying they were evidence that two decades of rail privatisation had failed passengers. Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, said: “These figures mean that thousands of commuters into London have to travel in cattle truck-style conditions while also paying the highest fares in Europe just to do so. It is a scandal that this is still happening 20 years after the failure of rail privatisation. We need a publicly run railway with real focus on improving capacity and cutting fares.”
Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, said: “It has long been our contention that privatisation has failed to deliver for rail passengers in Britain. We’re disappointed – but not surprised – by these figures.Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, said: “It has long been our contention that privatisation has failed to deliver for rail passengers in Britain. We’re disappointed – but not surprised – by these figures.
“Disappointed for those passengers – especially those who are pregnant or disabled – who have to suffer like this, and for those tourists who come to this country expecting a first-class public transport system in a first-world economy.“Disappointed for those passengers – especially those who are pregnant or disabled – who have to suffer like this, and for those tourists who come to this country expecting a first-class public transport system in a first-world economy.
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“Sadly, the privatised train companies are failing to deliver and this government is letting them get away with it. If you’re standing on your train today, then you’ll be standing on your train in 10 years’ time because the government doesn’t care enough to do anything about it and the companies only care about making money, not delivering a service.”“Sadly, the privatised train companies are failing to deliver and this government is letting them get away with it. If you’re standing on your train today, then you’ll be standing on your train in 10 years’ time because the government doesn’t care enough to do anything about it and the companies only care about making money, not delivering a service.”
A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators and Network Rail, insisted that the companies would improve services. He said: “We understand passengers’ frustration when they can’t get a seat and we as an industry are working hard together to tackle overcrowding.A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators and Network Rail, insisted that the companies would improve services. He said: “We understand passengers’ frustration when they can’t get a seat and we as an industry are working hard together to tackle overcrowding.
“Over the past 20 years, record numbers of passengers have been attracted to the railway, which is why we are introducing thousands of new and modern carriages.”“Over the past 20 years, record numbers of passengers have been attracted to the railway, which is why we are introducing thousands of new and modern carriages.”