Greater Anglia timetable changes mean passengers "crammed in like sardines"
Fewer trains running have caused issues in Essex
Last updated 14th Jan 2022
A Billericay councillor has called for Greater Anglia to reconsider its timetables after services were cut due to a drop in passenger numbers.
Andrew Schrader, councillor for Billericay East, says the reduced service is leading to packed trains with no room to social distance.
"It was very crowded on the trains. It was back to the bad-old pre-pandemic days of people being crammed in to the carriages like Sardines.
"Clearly that makes social distancing impossible and it makes a nonsense of wearing a mask - it's not much comfort having a mask on if your face is buried in somebody else's armpit."
He also expressed concerns the reduced timetable was threatening children's education
"We've had reports of... school children not being able to get to school on time. Either they're getting there just too late or they're getting their ridiculously early because of the relative infrequency of the trains now."
"You can't give every every single student detention for being late when they've all come on the same train. "
A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “We’ve listened to feedback and we’re making changes to make journeys better for customers.
“From Monday 17 January, three extra peak services will run on the Southend Victoria line, departing Southend Victoria at 06.30 and 16.10 arriving in London Liverpool Street at 07.30 and 17.10; and departing London Liverpool Street at 17.32 arriving at Southend Victoria at 18.31.
"From Monday 24 January the 06.05 departure from Southminster will run through from Wickford to London Liverpool Street, with intermediate stops at Billericay, Shenfield and Stratford. "
“We’re very sorry for any inconvenience caused to customers by the new temporary timetable. We will continue to monitor services and review customer feedback on a daily basis. We will also continue to adjust service levels in line with the wider situation, government guidance and customer demand.”