HC Deb 11 July 2002 vol 388 c1114W
Dr. Murrison

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level of overcrowding in trains in each year since 1992. [68232]

Mr. Jamieson

Overcrowding is primarily a problem in London in the morning peak. Overall overcrowding levels fell from 1992 to 1996, rose in 1997, fell in 1998, rose in 1999 and 2000 and are unchanged in 2001.

In 2001, nearly half a million people travelled by train into London each morning. This is the highest figure since the late 1980s. Despite this growth in use at peak times, overcrowding has decreased on eight out of the 10 London franchises since spring 2001, and the number of operators that have overcrowding levels exceeding the SRA's threshold has fallen from five to four. These four operators all have plans in place to reduce overcrowding.