After extensive lobbying, Louie has welcomed that more services and carriages will be added on Southeastern services to help with the capacity and overcrowding problems passengers have experienced since the new timetable was introduced last month.
This includes from 13th February, there will be an extra train on the Sidcup line at 07.33 from Crayford to Charing Cross calling at all stations including Albany Park via Lewisham. Alongside this, the 07.09 train from Strood to Charing Cross will now run nonstop between New Eltham and London Bridge hopefully reducing overcrowding and journey times.
These additional services are a step in the right direction, with the results of Louie’s recent survey on the recent Southeastern disruption highlighting most passengers experienced overcrowding in the morning peak and with the most concerns coming from Albany Park commuters.
Louie has called the progress a “small first breakthrough” but recognises there is a lot more changes to continuing fighting for to ensure the timetable delivers for the needs of Bexley passengers and avoids the level of overcrowding we have seen in recent weeks. This includes more services in the peak times, more trains serving Albany Park Station, the reinstatement of Charing Cross services on the Bexleyheath line and more services to Abbey Wood on the Sidcup line.
Commenting, Louie said:
“The ongoing misery, overcrowding and disruption commuters have faced on Southeastern since the timetable changes cannot continue and I therefore welcome that Southeastern have now started to listen and are adding extra services and capacity from next week.”
“Whilst I hope this will help address some of the overcrowding concerns, I recognise that many big reversals to the timetable are still required to ensure the timetable delivers for the needs of Bexley passengers who are increasingly returning to pre-pandemic travel, which I will continue to fight for, particularly more services in the peak times and those serving Albany Park Station.”
