oh no !!!
Southern are retiring their 455 fleet from the May 15th timetable change. So no longer will there be the 8-car older trains. However, this does mean that the 377 fleet (similar to LO ones), will be spread further. So if the London Victoria service does return, they’ll mostly be formed of 5-car trains. Southern might get some of the 377s back from Southeastern though to boost up the requirements, now that they’re getting SWRailway’s 707’s. If Southern decide though that they don’t have enough units, I can sadly see them putting off bringing it back full time for a LONG time.
Oh no! Any excuse - but if they try then we’ll just have to get our MP involved again and I know people in other boroughs along the route between Crystal Palace and Balham have complained to their MP’s that they’ve still got such a reduced service. So I think there’s a lot of people who will be getting involved if they still try and get away with no weekday service except for 2 trains to LBG in the morning! Thanks for the heads up. Hope you’re keeping well. .
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Yes!
We have to find a way to make Southern actually realise that FH is a busy commuter station and we actually not only NEED but deserve a better service.
The Overground alone is just not sufficient…You only have to see the crowded Platforms at canada Water during rush hour to confirm this.
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I’m not quite clear how they’re able to “monitor demand” on services that have been almost fully withdrawn, requiring people to cycle or take non-rail routes to their destination.
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I suppose they can look at the services that still run. Until those trains arrive at London Bridge full and standing, I can see a line of argument that says the current offer is sufficient. Full and standing they aren’t - for now at least.
As for more anecdotal evidence, I took a train to East Croydon the other day on a sunny Friday at around 11 in the morning. I was the only (!) passenger in my coach until the train got to Norwood Junction! That is with the East Croydon train running at the same frequency as pre-Covid.
In a parallel universe (or a different country) you might look at encouraging people to use public transport more instead of cars to avoid a looming climate catastrophe, but that’s perhaps best for another day.
I would be surprised if they didn’t know. What does “deserve” mean in this context?
Aside from the fact that platform crowding at Canada Water is unlikely to be among the top of Southern’s concerns, is the situation any worse than before Covid?
As per my other post, there are usually plenty of seats available on trains leaving London Bridge. It would be hard win the argument for even more empty seats to address a crowding issue elsewhere.
I’m conscious that I’m slightly playing devil’s advocate. I for one am very cross with trains leaving London Bridge only every half an hour. But perhaps this reflects more on my impatience and inability in sticking to time than there being any genuine shortage in journey options.
It is certainly irritating but I agree currently manageable. Although
i have an office job so I can easily arrive and leave when I like (within reason) less good if you have a set start and finish time or other commitments (like childcare pick ups)
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I think that the travel is back to pre=covid levels at least on my rush-hour commutes
My argument is for 4 trains an hour between say 6.30am-10.am and then from 3.30pm to 7pm to cover the rush hour traffic.
2 per hour is adequate during off peak.
The other day I needed to get to Victoria on my day off…this involved overground-jubilee getting off at Westminster and change to Circle and district in order to make my appointment.
When once it would have been 1 train journey
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