Great Western Coffee Shop

5.21pm Cardiff to Maesteg...............................78% overcapacity
8.14am Humphery pk to Manchester oxford rd.....75% overcapacity
8.00am Morpeth to Newcastle..........................58% overcapacity
7.31am Barnsley to Leeds................................57% overcapacity
7.14am Sheffield to Leeds................................53% overcapacity
4.33pm Sutton to Luton...................................50% overcapacity
8 .01am Coventry to B/ham New St....................45% overcapacity

Seems as if overcrowding on the Rail network isnt something reserved for FGW Land, and the observant amongst you will note in the above list no FGW Trains make it in.
So prehaps in the grander scheme it aint as bad as Mtls make out

That 17.21 CDF-Measteg is a KILLER!

Isn't that 5:21 from Cardiff the Arriva train that had to take all the Bridgend passengers from the Swansea "125" that First used to run around that time of day, but withdrew?  How overcrowded is it once it's beyond Bridgend?

The 1721 is a killer because FGW withdrew its 1715 to Swansea and left ATW high and dry. Until they complete the platform extensions to Maesteg they can't lengthen the service. So FGW are indirectly to blame for the most crowded service on the list.

I'm sure some of our services run to that level of capacity. How more crowded can you get then not being able to squash another person in.

To be fair, ATW have another 10 150/2's on the way from London Midland...

no idea whats happening with them/were they're going. But they could be used to increase the frequency around that time.

Although they are badly needed elsewhere.

However, FGW services came top and second of a list of the most overcrowded trains in 2006 published by the Department for Transport in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act (link below.)
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/article2051555.ece

Four of the ten most overcrowded trains in the DfT list were operated by FGW.


Whether FGW have improved on the overcrowding front since 2006 is, as John R hints, entirely down to your perspective.

But they can't use them on Maesteg!

AFAIK, they are being used on the Pontypridd line.

fair call actually. That line does need extra capacity, and sharpish.

Does the 17.21 actually leave anyone behind though?

Where are the other 3 trains? That's only 7...

Never actually seen this happen. (its usually a 2 car 175 these days)

I was referring to the valley line that was getting the 150's in that post!

It's booked for 2car 175.

ATW have a lot of new 150s at Canton in Central trains livery now,..certainly agree with lee about the 2006 figures........ .but the 2007 figures show no fgw services in it,to my mind that shows improvement.
Basically train overcrowding is widespread in this country and not something that is exclusive to our region contrary to what certain members of our local community would have you believe

Funny how we are still all intent on blaming FGW some how  ;D

Its good news and shows maybe the HSTs are working as the thames valley services were most affected.

I didnt post the 2006 figures for that purpose, but as a comparison by which members could draw their own conclusions on whether FGW have improved (as dog box did.)

Where did the 2007 numbers come from? Same source?

I actually got them sent to me from a colleague who works for CROSS COUNTRY, i can find out where he got them from if you wish

I just wondered whether it was a published source, but it sounds as though it's not. Wasn't the 2006 list used to decide the trains that sardine man used to campaign against overcrowding?

I thought the most overcrowded train was one from Cambridge to Liverpool Street run by 'one.'

However, figures and stats can be twisted to show whatever you want!

These figures are listed here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/mar/26/travelnews.transportintheuk1 (http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/mar/26/travelnews.transportintheuk1)

Note that it mentions the 07:26 Northampton to New Street, which is incorrect is is supposed to be the 08:01 Coventry to New Street.

This train used to regularly have to turn passengers away, although it was slightly alleviated by the previous service, stopping at Tile Hill when the timetable was changed.