§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of passenger overcrowding on the railways as the percentage of passengers in excess of capacity was during(a) the morning peak, (b) the evening peak and (c) both peaks together, (i) for each train company and (ii) overall in each of the last three years. [71061]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 18 July 2002]: The number of passengers now travelling into London each morning are at the highest level for over 10 years. Overcrowding figures for 2001, which were published in June, show a decrease on most lines compared to the previous year. That year, however, showed an increase overall compared to 1999. The figures are:
agreements to avoid "regular, systematic, excessive overcrowding".
In addition, train operating companies which provide local services into London (South Central, Connex South Eastern, South West Trains, Thameslink. Thames Trains, Chiltern Trains, Silverlink, c2c, First Great Eastern and
1237WWest Anglia Great Northern) and Scotrail (for Fife/Edinburgh area services only) are required by their franchise agreements to comply with the standards laid down under "Passengers in Excess of Capacity". These are the same for each operator and are: not more than 4.5 per cent. in excess of nominal capacity which varies with journey length and rolling stock type; and not more than 3 per cent. overall.