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New Overground trains are overcrowded ‘cattle trucks’
• PETER Gruner enthusiastically hailed the arrival of the new Overground trains (Arriving at last, new trains along the ‘Cinderella’ line, August 21).
I would have agreed with him but a few days before I travelled on one of the new trains and was so disappointed and cross that the first thing I did when arriving home was to write to Transport for London with my complaints.
The new trains are “cattle trucks”.
There is insufficient seating. Most passengers are expected to stand, regardless of the length of their journey, their health or age. The problems of overcrowding cannot be addressed by making more people stand, holding their shopping, young children, walking sticks etc with one hand while the other hand holds on to a handrail.
This situation is unsafe, uncomfortable and unfair.
I’m told that a lot of passengers are only on the train for 10 minutes and are fully abled, unhindered commuters who don’t mind discomfort. However, there are also passengers on longer journeys, visiting friends, enjoying days out etc. As the new orbital rail link is developed this number will increase.
Overground trains by their nature are meant to offer a view. The London roofscape seen from the old trains was full of interest and enough reason alone to travel from Stratford to Richmond. This view is not available on the new train as the seats face into the carriage and any glimpse of the London skyline is obstructed by other, mainly standing, passengers.
Added to this discomfort were cycles. On the old trains, although unmarked from the outside, were areas where cycles, buggies, wheelchairs, could rest safely. Perhaps they were not large enough and were in need of improvement, but it must be a good idea to separate wheels from people.
The “Cinderella” problems the line faced of overcrowding and poor infrastuctural support would be addressed more appropriately with more carriages, a more frequent service and better maintenance of signalling etc.
GILL ROUSE
Address supplied
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