New services in bid to ease train overcrowding
RAIL operator First Capital Connect is attempting to end overcrowding on rush-hour trains with the introduction of new services. Four additional services will run between Royston and King s Cross: two during morning rush-hour and two in the evening peak t
RAIL operator First Capital Connect is attempting to end overcrowding on rush-hour trains with the introduction of new services.
Four additional services will run between Royston and King's Cross: two during morning rush-hour and two in the evening peak travelling period.
And 500 extra seats will be provided by extending services to 12-car trains.
First Capital Connect said it recognised that the results of an "exhaustive" consultation the overwhelming concern of commuters was overcrowding.
Commercial director Hugh Clancy said: "Doing nothing was not an option for us.
"We know that many of our trains are already overcrowded and if we did nothing it would mean we may be in a position where customers would be unable to board our trains, something we could not tolerate," he said.
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Mr Clancy said that changes which were introduced on Monday were as a result of the consultation with rail-user groups, MPs and the local authorities.
He said another concern raised was whether First Capital Connect could introduce additional trains calling at Royston.
The changes introduced are on the 6.53 King's Lynn-King's Cross service which will call at Royston at 7.59 and the 6.57 King's Lynn-King's Cross service which will call at Royston at 7.29.
In the evening the 17.14 King's Cross-Ely service will arrive at Royston at 17.48 and the 18.44 King's Cross-King's Lynn service will arrive at Royston at 19.18.
Mr Clancy said that First Capital Connect will be assessing the suitability of the platforms at Royston to accommodate 12-car trains.
It added that some work may be required to extend the platforms which is likely to be implemented in December 2008.
