Seats on trains
Posted by Eric Pickles, MP for Brentwood and Ongar, at 09:08, Wed 2 April 2008:
I have launched an on line poll aimed at finding out if local residents would support removal of seats on trains to London to allow more passengers to travel..
Removing seats so more people can travel on commuter trains from Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone in to London Liverpool Street is one of the options being considered by the rail operating companies as they try to cope with the increased demand for their services.
Running more trains is difficult as the existing lines are already used to full capacity and there is no possibility of adding extra tracks on this route due to physical constraints but is removing seats something that will meet with approval by passengers on these services?
That is why I have launched this on line poll which asks if residents would be willing to support the removal of seats from trains and I would encourage as many people as possible to log on to my web site at www.ericpickles.com to register their view on this important topic
Of course a straight vote does not give an opportunity to discuss other aspects of the changes so I would be keen for your views
The latest news from Brentwood and Ongar Member of Parliament, Mr Eric Pickles, can be found on his web page which can be accessed at www.ericpickles.com and people can respond to the latest electronic poll through that site.
Comments
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Posted by Linda Ward, 09:21, Wed 2 April 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
I do not commute to London anymore, but when I did it seemed to me that at the times that people packed themselves in like cattle, the seats were the only things that could protect vulnerable people. At first thought this sounded like a good idea, as I would have rather got on a train anyhow than had the stress of waiting for the next train and worrying that I still would not get on, added to the fight to get to the doors, but on reflection it is this 'get me on any way I can' attitude that causes accidents and fights among passengers who cram themselves in as close as possible. Those more vulnerable in our society would have no protection at all if this were to go ahead.
Employers should be encouraged to run more flexible working hours - either earlier/later starts, weekend hours instead of during the week, or more working from home. Taking more seats out will not fix the problem, just ease the symptoms for a while, while endangering people who could not cope with standing in such close quarters for even half an hour. It is hard enough now to get to a seat, let alone hope someone sitting on one will let a more needy person sit down, without removing more seats.
Posted by keith brown, 15:49, Wed 2 April 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
if i am paying to travel to London the high fares which are charged i at least expect to get a seat!
Posted by Roy, 18:34, Thu 3 April 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
Less seats on a service that currently has people standing from Brentwood!!!? In the same vein they could remove the carpets and use straw as a more eco-friendly solution. Whilst they are at it, they could remove the windows to save on repairs/refurbishment from graffiti attacks, have attendant controlled doors (wooden ones with a nice big locking bar to keep us all in, like those depicted in Schindler's list). Then we could re-classify them as livestock transport and the current regulations would mean they have to give more space per Human animal than is currently provided.
More carriages and trains is the answer, not more profit for less service.