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Crunch time: most overcrowded train service revealed Crunch time: most overcrowded train service revealed
(4 months later)
Many commuters crammed into rush-hour trains would probably consider their own service to be the most overcrowded in the country.Many commuters crammed into rush-hour trains would probably consider their own service to be the most overcrowded in the country.
But new government figures have shown the busiest service in terms of crowding is the 7.44am Henley-on-Thames to Paddington in London.But new government figures have shown the busiest service in terms of crowding is the 7.44am Henley-on-Thames to Paddington in London.
That train, taking people from the Oxfordshire town into the capital, has a load factor of 180%. This means that when the survey was carried out – during the autumn of 2011 – the Henley-London service was travelling 80% over capacity in standard-class carriages.That train, taking people from the Oxfordshire town into the capital, has a load factor of 180%. This means that when the survey was carried out – during the autumn of 2011 – the Henley-London service was travelling 80% over capacity in standard-class carriages.
From 2 January, Henley season ticket holders will see their annual fare rise 4.18% to £3,388.From 2 January, Henley season ticket holders will see their annual fare rise 4.18% to £3,388.
Publishing the figures on Wednesday, the Department for Transport (DfT) said the First Great Western company had recently added an extra carriage to the 7.44am train, taking the number of standard-class seats to 340.Publishing the figures on Wednesday, the Department for Transport (DfT) said the First Great Western company had recently added an extra carriage to the 7.44am train, taking the number of standard-class seats to 340.
The second most crowded service was the 7.32am from Woking in Surrey to Waterloo in London, which was 64% over capacity.The second most crowded service was the 7.32am from Woking in Surrey to Waterloo in London, which was 64% over capacity.
Third and fourth were two evening services from Euston in London to Birmingham New Street – the 6.13pm, which was 62% over capacity, and the 4.48pm at 60% over capacity.Third and fourth were two evening services from Euston in London to Birmingham New Street – the 6.13pm, which was 62% over capacity, and the 4.48pm at 60% over capacity.
Fifth, at 58% over capacity, was the 6.30am Banbury in Oxfordshire to Paddington service, while in sixth place, at 57% over capacity, was the 7.55am train from Stourbridge Junction to Stratford-upon-Avon in the West Midlands.Fifth, at 58% over capacity, was the 6.30am Banbury in Oxfordshire to Paddington service, while in sixth place, at 57% over capacity, was the 7.55am train from Stourbridge Junction to Stratford-upon-Avon in the West Midlands.
In seventh place, at 55% over capacity, was the 6.23am from Manchester Airport to Middlesbrough, while in eighth position was the 6.17pm from Liverpool Street in London to Shenfield in Essex, which was 54% over capacity.In seventh place, at 55% over capacity, was the 6.23am from Manchester Airport to Middlesbrough, while in eighth position was the 6.17pm from Liverpool Street in London to Shenfield in Essex, which was 54% over capacity.
At 52% over capacity, the 7.14am service from Alton in Hampshire to Waterloo was ninth, while the 10th most crowded service was another London-Birmingham evening rush-hour service, the 5.46pm Euston to Birmingham New Street, which was 52% over capacity (rounded up but slightly lower than the ninth place figure).At 52% over capacity, the 7.14am service from Alton in Hampshire to Waterloo was ninth, while the 10th most crowded service was another London-Birmingham evening rush-hour service, the 5.46pm Euston to Birmingham New Street, which was 52% over capacity (rounded up but slightly lower than the ninth place figure).
Transport minister Norman Baker said: "Climbing on a crowded train where there is little space can often be an unpleasant experience and I sympathise with passengers who have to travel on these services.Transport minister Norman Baker said: "Climbing on a crowded train where there is little space can often be an unpleasant experience and I sympathise with passengers who have to travel on these services.
"The operators on the list are aware of the crowding problems on these particular services. I will be monitoring these services closely, and others which have not made the top 10 list, and urging train companies to reduce crowding on the busiest services.""The operators on the list are aware of the crowding problems on these particular services. I will be monitoring these services closely, and others which have not made the top 10 list, and urging train companies to reduce crowding on the busiest services."
He went on: "Rail has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. That is why we are investing in more carriages, longer trains and better services and funding major projects like HS2, Crossrail and Thameslink, all of which will significantly boost capacity on our rail network.He went on: "Rail has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. That is why we are investing in more carriages, longer trains and better services and funding major projects like HS2, Crossrail and Thameslink, all of which will significantly boost capacity on our rail network.
"It is an important tool to give increased transparency to passengers and help the industry act to improve journeys.""It is an important tool to give increased transparency to passengers and help the industry act to improve journeys."
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