Key facts
- The 5:46pm train from London Euston to Crewe is the busiest commuter-only service in England and Wales.
- Commuters frequently stand for the entire journey due to overcrowding and lack of seating.
- The service has experienced significant delays, with one journey taking five hours.
- London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has increased the service's seat capacity by 77% following data collection.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed support for rail nationalization and improving public transport.
The 5:46pm train from London Euston to Crewe, operated by London Northwestern Railway (LNR), has been identified as the busiest commuter-only train service in England and Wales. Commuters on this service frequently face standing-room-only conditions, with many never securing a seat. Passengers describe struggling to maintain balance in crowded gangways and dealing with luggage that has nowhere to be stored. Some commuters resort to sitting on the floor due to the lack of available seating.
According to figures from the Department for Transport, the service had a load factor of 170% when analyzed last autumn. LNR states that since then, they have increased the number of seats on the service from 460 to 812, a 77% capacity increase, significantly reducing the load factor. Despite these efforts, commuters report the carriages remain packed and stuffy, especially during summer heat.
Commuters also face issues with delays and cancellations. One passenger, Nikhil Patel, recounted a journey that took five hours due to a delay, causing him to miss a connecting train. Another, Akshay Vaghela, notes that this service is cheaper than alternative, shorter routes to Crewe, contributing to its popularity despite the discomfort.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has previously called for rail nationalization, has been vocal about poor-performing rail operators. As mayor of Greater Manchester, he introduced the Bee Network, bringing privatised bus and tram services under local government control. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has also publicly shared her experience of sitting on the floor of a crowded train.
Commuters like Vaghela are optimistic that Burnham will implement changes, suggesting that priority routes connecting major parts of the country should be prioritized for improvement, especially given the disparity in seating availability for passengers paying the same fare.
An LNR spokesperson acknowledged the popularity of their services and highlighted a £1 billion investment in new trains to enhance customer comfort and capacity.