I always notice a lot more people getting off at Forest Hill station than the preceding stations (both commuters and late night Overground).

It could be that Forest Hill station has a larger catchment area than the surrounding stations; or the catchment area is similar, but the demographic of the local population is more similar to me, so I travel at the Forest Hill 'peak times'. I can also imaging more scenarios; however, it would be good if anyone would share the actual reason.

Plentiful free parking South of the station accounts for some of the larger numbers. There have always seemed to be a fair number who drive in as far as FH and take the train from there.

As someone who lives south of the station, I'd like to know where this plentiful free parking is. I can't think of a street within ten minutes walk of the station where finding a free space wouldn't be a matter of great good luck. The odd or two spaces, maybe, but not enough to accommodate hoards of commuters. If that were the case, the roads would empty of parked cars in the evening, and that's certainly not the case.

Walking from the station I often see people from the train getting into cars parked on South road. I assume it works in the same way as it does in other areas where those driving to work leave spaces which commuters fill during the day and then vice versa? I used to park in church vale or westbourne drive during the day when I lived further from the station.

That's interesting. I've lived in this area for fifteen years and never noticed this. I must be on the wrong roads when this is happening!

I pass through around 18:20 in the evening and between 6:30 and 7:30 in the morning. Watch out for those arriving and leaving.

Huh. In the past few years I've been on those roads (South, Sunderland, Church Rise) regularly around 7am and never noticed. Pre-coffee. That's probably why.

I have always thought this was one of the reasons FH station is so well used. Even during recessions when you might expect use to drop it has seemed busy - going back to when we moved here in the 1980's.
What do others think is the reason?

Most of the easy street parking is occupied well before 8am. It has been like this since Perry Vale car park stopped being free all day. But I don't think parking is the reason it is so popular.
The catchment for Forest Hill is big. If you consider how close Crofton Park and Honor Oak Park are, or how close the two Catford stations are, or that Sydenham has 3 stations, Penge has 2, and Dulwich has 3, you begin to understand how wide an area Forest Hill serves.
Our station also has more regular services than stations to the east and west, and is well connected to a variety of bus routes.
Forest Hill is also a destination due to the Horniman and that boosts numbers compared to other stations in south east London.

Is it definitely busier than other stations? I get off at HOP but just wondering if it appears busier it you get off from a carriage near the exit at FH, which is different from the exit at HOP?

I'd imagine you might get some extra footfall from the big sainsburys and the gyms that people may go to straight after work.

All I know is that I have no hope of getting a seat Twixt FH and Canada Water between the hours of 7am-10am and 5pm-7pm

I agree with OakR - I get off at HOP and am always at the front of the train which then empties out at HOP - so it seems to me that it is the busiest station. Obviously I don't know what it is like at FH as I don't stay on that far. Surprised by Michael's assertion that 'FH is a destination' - not quite how I would describe it and would be very surprised if many people used the train to get to the Horniman - and if they do, that they are on the train in morning or evening rush hours. And it is sometimes possible to get a seat between 7-10am and 5-7pm - just need to get on at the right spot and have your eyes open.

usage figures are available at http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/excel_do...4-data.xls
I can't view them right now but Forest Hill tends to have about the same number of passengers as Sydenham and Honor Oak Park combined (although HOP has increased a lot in recent years).
the Horniman factor may be small overall, I was just pointing out another reason why Forest Hill figures are higher according to Office of Rail Regulation.

I have recently moved my commute from Catford/Catford Bridge to Forest Hill and it's a dream now. So comfortable and relaxed...My fault then!!

...though the two women that work the coffee cabin have got to be the grumpiest ladies on the planet...I got coffee from there once and never again. Service with a moan. Overpriced too...

Forest Hill station's catchment area is pretty big. There are commuters who travel from the east side of Lordship Lane on the 176, 185, 197, Upper Sydenham and the Bell Green end of Perry Rise in addition to the area surrounding the station.

More regular train services since 2010 have also helped Forest Hill become a transport hub.

If you think that is busy - try Canary Wharf

True I like Canary Wharf and the queuing is so civilised - its the only place where I have regularly seen those trying to push in being shamed into retreating.

Very true john - even at London Bridge its the same - when its working ok, the jubilee line is incredible - the speed it flied through the tunnels is amzing

Also has to have something to do with the changing demographic. Used to be hardly any suits 6 years ago. Last 2 years the number of suits/city workers seems to have just ballooned.

My guess is since the Overground has come in. People have been priced out of some of the more traditional areas of London, city/canary wharf workers have see how good a deal Forest Hill is/was. How many trains per hour there are as well as amenities.


Ive also met a few people who used to live around Shoreditch / Islington who have moved down here recently because it's cheaper but still on the Overground.

Re my last message...

I stupidly went back for coffee today thinking that if I was extra polite and nice it would make a difference and improve their moods...far from helping I think it made it worse. I received a scowl when I said 'thank you so much'...I'm not a naturally passive aggressive person but I think it may have come across that way...

What can we do to cheer these grumpy people up?

I'm going via Brockley tomorrow morning so it will have to wait until Monday...