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Train overcrowding 'has worsened'
Trains in London and the south-east of England are becoming increasingly overcrowded during rush hour, official statistics have shown, in news that could encourage travellers to consider private coach hire as an alternative.
London peak-time trains exceeded their normal passenger capacity by 3.2% in 2011, up from 3% the previous year, according to the Department for Transport data.
Increased overcrowding was more of a problem during the evening rush hour period (4pm until 7pm), with excess passengers rising from 1.9% to 2.3% between 2010 and 2011, whereas the morning peak period (7am until 10am) remained at 4% above capacity over both years.
The statistics were based on a typical weekday in autumn and revealed 532,000 people arrived into central London by rail during the morning peak period, with 443,000 leaving in the evening rush.
Birmingham had the highest peak-time numbers outside London and also the next-worst overcrowding figures at 3.1% of passengers in excess of capacity in 2011.
Copyright Press Association 2012
