Forum Topic

Overcrowded Underground Platforms

I see that the platforms at Oxford Street Station last night were overcrowded. A while ago they wanted less staff on the stations. When I go past Boston Manor Station I think of overcrowded trains and  platforms.

Nicholas Beard ● 2821d13 Comments

Absorption by the Sun apparently...just a mere 7.5 billion years away !.

Adam Beamish ● 2819d

Are we going to hit the sun? I thought that our star was just going to die one day.

Susan Kelly ● 2819d

Still bemuses me somewhat why there's not more people working from home.  I'm self employed now but even when I worked in the City (until 6 months ago) there are largely no need for me to do so and I could have worked from home far more often that the once or twice a fortnight that I did.As for the growing demands on infrastructure and overcrowded public transport, it's only going to get worse.  There's absolutely no way infrastructure improvements can keep up (or more precisely even try to catch up) with population growth and the sooner the powers that be acknowledge that the better - rather than trying to con us by measures such as introducing new trains with less seats so more people can be squashed in like cattle and masquerading under the idea that it's an improvement.One day, most likely after we're all long gone, the powers that be might finally start to realise that population growth needs to be controlled if the planet is going to remain capable of sustaining human life long before it hits the sun...

Adam Beamish ● 2819d

With the increased use of technology and the demand for instant answers many people carry on working once they get home - often having supper and then logging remotely back onto Office based computer systems

James Homer ● 2819d

The huge push for a 24 hour city and hinterland and the burgeoning population to try and cope with that has led to the Night Tube. Even though it is only for a few nights per week, the very old infrastructure cannot cope. In the 1970s trains started earlier and finished later than they do now.Workman tickets were cheaper before 7 am and often trains were packed between 5.45 and 7am. Now it stretches from 5.45am to 9pm and even weekends are often at capacity.After Kings Cross and a few other incidents, maintenance had to bed stepped up and even with a huge effort of renewal the core infrastructure remains old and will only get older.The Betty Line  (Pet name by the constructors)- The nearest thing to the RER in Paris is at least 40 years late. And is only one line through Central London.In reality 3 more are needed.  At present rates that 90 years away from realisation.But with the present, Part of the hope at TfL /LU is that by forcing as many off the Picc might relive the pressure on it to do more involved infrastructural works - except the funding is being delayed and deferred and gobbled up by lawyers, marketing consultants, consultants and administrators.It is heading for a crisis and the wrong solutions are the only ones being flagged up because its a vote winner to the masses to show nice pictures of shiny new trains.  When it's a bag of nut and bolts and bits of wire that are more important.

Raymond Havelock ● 2819d

Flexible working has resulted in office workers commencing work ever earlier.The 7am starters are homeward bound at 4pm or 4.30pm. They may not get a seat but avoid a crush.

David R Rowlands ● 2820d

The evening rush hour seems to start earlier and earlier and it's often hard to get a seat after about 4pm. What happened to people working ever longer hours?!

Susan Kelly ● 2820d

Thank you Raymond. Very very accutate especially the driving of the trains. I knew about this but not other facts which you have expressed with excellant clarity. Thank you, a pleasure to read.

Nicholas Beard ● 2821d

The service on the Piccadilly Line has been beset with problems this past week.Mainly infrastructure issues.But the general feeling is that TfL and LU are allowing the Piccadilly line to become the new Misery Line of the Underground and are allowing it to slowly downgrade in the hope that passengers will migrate en masse to the Elizabeth Line.This applies in particular to the Heathrow Branch.Of course, the big banana skin on this will be the fares. If Heathrow decide to claim a big slice of the track access charges to LHR for the Lizzie Line then the fares will be the near same as the Heathrow Express and thus sparsely used and the Piccadilly line will continue to be overloaded.New Trains are way, way off and won't make a lot of difference, less seats and that's about it.Rather Ironically, The existing 40 year old trains are amongst the best performing and most reliable stock on the Underground despite the minimal overhaul and cleaning regimes. Only the Newest Surface stock exceeds the failures per 1000 mile stats.The problem is the infrastructure, Signalling and track as well as demand.Upgraded signalling could increase trains per hour and a few upgrades are imminent. But the big problem is a shortage of trains in the lines fleet. They are about 8-12 units short for a full service upgrade. Poor driver standards are another. A lack of affinity with driving an electro -mechanical device leads to over cautious drivers who run too slow for fear of passing a Red light, Others brake badly causing flats - Part of last years operational crisis.  Automation like the Victoria Line is not practicable on the surface sections. The Victoria is entirely underground so does not suffer wet, ice, leaves, objects on the line, and hot and cold extremes.But the trains need a deep clean and refresh, inside and out and a proper heavy overhaul. They will continue to be reasonably comfortable and remain reliable, better than much newer trains. The driving staff need to be better suited to their charges.  That can be helped with better training. The usual cocktail of politics and egos has led to delays and funding issues and now TfL and LU are left clutching at straws.Sadly it's the station staff are being used as sponges for the flak and frustration of paying passengers and all is not well on the Piccadilly Line.  It probably won't get better soon.

Raymond Havelock ● 2821d

The platforms in London are always crowded. One day at Picadilly a Heathrow train came and I didnt get on as it was so full. I waited for a third train before getting on. Obviously many people go to Heathrow. The crazy thing is they wanted to cut station staff.

Nicholas Beard ● 2821d

Oddly enough I was waiting for a train at Oxford Circus on Wednesday afternoon - about 4pm, not rush hour - and noticed just how crowded it was.  Yesterday's "incident" may have flagged up an issue that needs resolving before there is a real emergency.

Phil Andrews ● 2821d

Boston Manor is not crowded but it reminds me of going to London and what awaits there!

Nicholas Beard ● 2821d

Is Boston Manor Station very crowded.  Northfields seems fine but it is probably greatly helped by the four empty trains that come in every hour.

Emma Renton ● 2821d