(qlmbusinessnews.com Mon. 23rd Sept, 2024) London, UK —
“Morning Rail Overcrowding: 1 in 5 Passengers Left Without a Seat, Report Reveals”
New figures have revealed that one in five rail passengers travelling into major cities across England and Wales during morning rush hours are forced to stand. According to data released by the Department for Transport (DfT), the number of commuters travelling daily into urban centres increased by 13% to an average of 1.7 million between September and December 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
However, despite the surge in passenger numbers, train operators only increased seating capacity by a mere 2%, leaving many commuters without a seat during their morning journey. Alex Robertson, chief executive of Transport Focus, the passenger watchdog, commented: “Our research highlights that securing a seat is one of the top priorities for passengers. As demand continues to rise, this will need to be addressed alongside other key investments.”
Regular commuters shared their experiences of overcrowded trains. Matt Picton, who commutes from Newcastle to London, described his return journey as a “bunfight” when cancellations force two sets of passengers onto one train. He recounted one of his worst experiences, standing for the entire three-hour journey from Kings Cross to Newcastle.
Karen Rudge, an accountant who commutes monthly from Letchworth, explained that although she doesn’t always have to stand, it is a frustrating experience when it happens, especially before a long day at work.
While some passengers, like Sheffield student Israel Obinusi, reported a “pleasant” journey, others, like interior designer Jess Leyland from Wakefield, emphasised the importance of booking a seat to avoid any issues.
London saw the highest number of arrivals during the period, with a daily average of 1.1 million passengers, up 14% from the previous year. This number is 10 times higher than Birmingham, the next busiest city with 108,400 daily arrivals. However, while London’s trains were busy, they have not yet returned to the pre-pandemic levels of congestion, with more passengers choosing to travel outside of traditional peak hours.
The data shows that in autumn 2019, 55% of London-bound passengers travelled between 7am and 10am, but by 2023, that figure had fallen to 45%. Despite this shift, the number of commuters heading into major cities is almost back to pre-Covid levels.
In response to the overcrowding issues, a DfT spokesperson commented: “We are bringing operators back under public ownership and leading the most significant overhaul of the railways in a generation.”
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