Theres nothing wrong with venting frustration or sharing information, but we are in a situation of paralysis by analysis here. I just think its either do something radical which is ' outside the box' ,or put up with the problems.
We can sit and talk all we like and enagage them in polite letters and debate and to an extent that may have a little influence that will result in a minor improvement, but thats about all it will achieve, as they have no intention of catering for consumer interest.
7:20am was cancelled this morning and the 7:31am was very crowded and left people standing on the platform at all stations. It departed Forest Hill a little late (7:34am) and arrived at 8:00am.
Southern were clearly having problems as when we arrived at London Bridge it was the only train in the station.
Sorry, but this real overcrowding (from FH station, at least) is something that's only got bad in the last month or so. I've lived in FH for two years now, and the 8.53, for example, has always been extremely reliable - I even got a seat on average about 75% of the time. In the last month or so, however, trains around that time have suddenly become late or cancelled, thereby doubling the number of passengers on the next train along. And I'm really not sure what's happened to bring about such a rapid deterioration in service.
It was so bad this morning at HOP I ended up getting the P4 to Lewisham and got a train to Charing Cross within 2 mins of arriving there. If I'd got caught using a Southern ticket on Southeastern trains, I know who I'd send the bill to. I had waited on Honor Oak platform in the freezing cold this morning for 45mins before giving up. It's pathetic.
I went to HOP at about midday today to get a train to Wallington. I stood there for half an hour and not one train came through the station (not even on the fast tracks). Then 3 workmen came along and started walking down the lines. I decided then it was time to go and get a bus (122 to Crystal Palace, 157 to Wallington - really good, the roads were quiet).
The most annoying thing is that despite the chaos the announcements were completely useless - no real information at all.
Sorry, but this real overcrowding (from FH station, at least) is something that's only got bad in the last month or so. I've lived in FH for two years now, and the 8.53, for example, has always been extremely reliable - I even got a seat on average about 75% of the time. In the last month or so, however, trains around that time have suddenly become late or cancelled, thereby doubling the number of passengers on the next train along. And I'm really not sure what's happened to bring about such a rapid deterioration in service.
I am sorry but I do not agree. On the odd occasion when my motorbike stays at home because I have had a few too many the night before I try to get the 8:11 or earlier train if possible. I very rarely get on it and may have to wait for 1 or 2 trains before I can squeeze on.
4 carriage trains - the 8.48 from FH yesterday, and the 8.59 today. And I don't live in HOP or Brockley! I know I am lucky to be able to get on, but once on it is simply sub-human. It is only a matter of time before there is a significant punch-up. Four words:
Not fit for purpose.
I know having a moan like this doesn't achieve anything, but I feel better getting it it off my chest!
OK I am now on absolute last straw. 8.02 from HOP was FOUR CARRIAGES. Squeezed on 8.13 but could hardly breathe - people from Brockley got angry, people from NCG got angry. I thought I was going to pass out. Then at London Bridge the doors wouldn't open and someone had to pull the emergency door opener and force the doors because people were panicing.
I am happy to help start a campaign of some sort - I work in PR so I have an idea about how it could work - but I'll need someone who uses Forest Hill and preferably a Brockley person too. We'll need to think about what are main aim is - is it more frequent trains at peak (7.45 to 8.30) we know already that they can't make the trains any longer.
I think we also need to involve the Forest Hill society because they have had dialogue with Southern and our local MP already. No point in going over old ground. I also think we should try and get in touch with the Great Western campaign.
Does anyone know who at Forest Hill society I should get in touch with to kick things off?
The Forest Hill Society has a transport sub-committee meeting this evening. I think the poor quality of current train services may be on the agenda. We can all put up with the odd bad service from Southern, but there service has been really bad so far this year.
I would also like to be part of this campaign as I am honestly thinking of changing my job for something less well paid in order to ease the stress and impact on my family . I will shortly be very constrained re working hours and commuting pattern due to childcare drop off and collection requirements, and delays such as this will make my life impossible and probably would create severe problems with my employer. To make it work I would have to reduce my working week considerably to build in some flexibility. So for me at least this situation has a considerable monetary cost hence I am very keen to do something that makes a difference.
I wanted to alert you to the poor quality of Southern services over the last few weeks using the Forest Hill line. Yesterday was a spectacularly bad day, but things have been generally bad so far this year and feel like they are getting worse. Passengers are keeping track of the situation on the forum at http://www.se23.com and I have listed below a few of the recent comment (not about yesterday which I know was a particularly bad day with delays over 2 hours reported):
removed the text to make more readable. Exact feedback is in the attached document
I hope that Southern can get back to the performance that we had been used to. With the closure of the East London Line for the next two years there are significantly more pressures on our line and rather than running longer trains or more trains exactly the opposite appears to be happening.
I will keep you informed of performance indicators from the travelling public but I hope that you can provide some reassurance that you are able to tackle the growing problems and increasing overcrowding. With the recent fare strike on GWR I know that passengers are becoming increasingly willing to take action when they receive sub-standard services.
Michael Abrahams
Forest Hill Society
michael@foresthillsociety.com
That sounds great Michael. I don't suffer from claustraphobia, but the 7.59am train was so bad this morning, I certainly symphasise with anyone that does. I just feel sorry for anyone living further down the track than Forest Hill, its a total nightmare!!
Thinking about how the complaints we have might best be communicated, I noticed that there is a "Meet the Managers" session at L Bridge on 28th Feb. Annoyingly this is (as always) in the morning when people are more concerned about actually getting to work, but I think I'll be making the effort to speak to them (and see what their point of view is).
Perhaps we could organise some sort of delegation to present some collated points/complaints? I have no idea exactly what this might entail but I am sure there will be some suggestions...
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