Train passengers have warned of overcrowding following a new timetable by Southeastern and the added pressure of a bus strike this morning.
Angry commuters took to Twitter last night and this morning, with some warning the amount of people trying to get on trains was "dangerous", with particular problems reported at Lewisham.
Work on the Thameslink programme at London Bridge has meant a new timetable and fewer peak time trains. In addition, Charing Cross trains no longer call at London Bridge for 18 months. Bus drivers are also out on strike today.
Oh no, wait. It's gets better. £38.40 to STAND for and hour and four minutes. Seriously @Se_Railway? Would you also like my firstborn?
— AngryBritain.com (@AngryBritain) January 13, 2015
@Se_Railway the result of you forcing Hayes passengers into the 0815 at lewisham. Why do you think this acceptable? pic.twitter.com/zw55cQoUKo
— M.R.Michael (@The_Cybermatt) January 13, 2015
Councillor Kevin Bonavia tweeted this morning: "London Bridge overcrowding problems have spread to Lewisham Station. Not seen so many police here since the Olympics."
And Twitter user @NotOnBrand wrote: "So much #overcrowding at #lewisham this cannot be safe."
Others complained of heavy-handed "enforcement" by station staff and police.
.@se_railway I'm not appreciating your yellow line enforcers at Lewisham Station at all. Get your priorities right FFS.
— Jason (@Lewishamdreamer) January 13, 2015
Trains: Lewisham was dire yesterday complete with OCD platform yellow line official, today is the next wrung down in Dante's hell.
— Lee SE12 (@Lee_SE12) January 13, 2015
Last night, the first evening peak of the new timetable, saw another host of angry messages to the company, again warning about overcrowding, with some Lewisham station platforms having to close.
Jack Worrallo tweeted: "Two fights on my overcrowded train from lewisham, and a fainting pregnant lady! How are we meant to do this for 18 months?"
And @Mrsbrowntobe wrote: "Platform 2 @lewisham is now closed due to overcrowding! looks like someone forgot to plan for thameslink works"
What do you say @Se_Railway ? You charge people huge sums to inflict misery & torture on us every day. #southeastern pic.twitter.com/iaGJiTzy5Y
— John (@Tri4Kona2014) January 12, 2015
@Se_Railway Re: this issue. Here is a picture to show to whoever is in charge. Every carriage is like this BTW. pic.twitter.com/MnTb20NJ5m
— David Swan (@DavidLSwan) January 12, 2015
Speaking about yesterday's disruption, a Southeastern spokesman said: "We’d like to thank passengers for their patience whilst the major redevelopment work at London Bridge takes place and as our new timetable beds-in.
"We’ve been working hard to communicate the changes to passengers in advance and have made more than 170 extra staff available at stations to help our passengers choose the right travel options for them.
"We’re running longer trains on routes where we expect demand to be high and we’ll be monitoring our service over the next few days and weeks to identify any adjustments that are needed.
"We’d like to thank passengers who got in touch with us on Twitter this morning for their feedback, which will be considered as part of this review process.”
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