London: first class trains can decrease to relieve overcrowding

In London, it is common to see passengers crammed into overcrowded train carriages common rush hour, that not true canned sardines, while in first class have taken hold the seats. This trend, however, may have borrowed time.

An investigation focused on the arrival of trains at London stations of Paddington, Waterloo, Liverpool Street and King's Cross, between the 8:0 and the 9:0, showed that trains normally include three first-class carriages and five standard. It turns out that only about 50% of first-class seats were occupied in these trains. Less than a fifth of the first-class carriages were full or nearly full and some had only three or four people in compartments with 48 seats.

In almost all cases, passengers travelling in standard carriages, accommodating 80 people each. The East Coast operator revealed that their first class carriages are, on average, complete in 40% â€" but it was the only one who agreed to divulge the numbers.

"It is wise to come up with a mix of first-class and standard carriages in our railways," said Patrick McLoughlin. The Secretary of transportation shows that this option could offer a better experience for passengers, but warns that "it is important to be absolutely clear that it is not a solution to the serious capacity issues we face".

When you set the terms of contracts of railway undertakings, McLoughlin can specify detailed criteria to be met â€" and which may include the addition of more seats in the ordinary carriages at the expense of first class.

"Must be achieved a balance between the number of standard and first class carriages a train has" defended Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus employee. "It is clear that where the passengers are being squeezed in standard-class cars, while there are a number of empty seats in first class, this balance is not being achieved."

Critics of the measure insist, however, that the comfort of passengers who pay a higher price should come before demand of railway companies by the maximization of profits.

Government data released in July show that one out of every five passengers in London must stand on the road during rush hours in the morning.

Photo: under Creative Commons license

If You Enjoyed This, Take 5 Seconds To Share It

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google+
• StumbleUpon
• Digg
• Delicious
• LinkedIn
• Reddit
• Technorati