Not sure that I'm qualified to have a view on how the railway is being run in trying circumstances. However, I'm really glad that I don't have to commute to London daily!

Last night, I reached Canada Water some time before 8:00pm. The indicator boards were showing the wrong trains. The station staff did a good job of announcing where the trains were in fact going, and eventually I got on a Crystal Palace train. As we were pulling into New Cross Gate, the driver announced that the train would terminate there. As we got out, it was announced that the next Caterham train would leave from platform 3, but it was not announced that it was 'fast' to Norwood Junction (I knew this, but intended to get a train back from there). It was then announced that the train was actually fast to Norwood Junction so most of the people crossing to platform 3 turned around and came back. I managed to miss the train as it was not possible to get through the streams of confused travellers going in both directions. A stopping Caterham train then pulled in to platform 2, with hardly any announcement, and, guess what, pulled out before most of the passengers coming back from platform 3 had reached platform 2. Then a Crystal Palace overground train pulled in. Come back M. Hulot we need you now.

One thing I did not like was the haranguing of the platform staff. They don't have much control over this and bullying is not attractive. A demonstration outside the head office of the railway company might be another thing.

I go up to town about three times a week, at different times, and, as a public service, in recognition of the generous contribution from the taxpayer represented by my freedom pass, I shall try some imaginative routes home and let you all know how I do. My next route is Warren St-Victoria-Penge East-176/197 bus. I tried something similar on Monday when there was a signal failure on the Jubilee.