The ELL is a victim of it's own success, cheaper PAYG fares into the West End and East London, combined with an easier interchange to the tube and quicker journeys for some has led to this situation.

However an extra car will at least try and solve some of the capacity issues in the peak. We also need 12 car peak services on Southern to alleviate pressure on the ELL.

I don't know if the New Cross branch trains are heavily used in the peak, but it may be worth for those locals to use that service instead of crowding already packed trains at New Cross Gate during the morning peak?