§ Siobhain McDonaghTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures exist to require train companies to regulate the number of passengers that trains may safely carry(a) at peak times of travel and (b)at other times; and how such measures are enforced. [4590]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Health and Safety Executive consider overcrowding on trains to be a matter of comfort rather than one of safety. Accordingly there are no statutory safety limits on the number of passengers that can travel on trains. For commuter routes into London and Edinburgh train operators are required to keep overcrowding within specified thresholds. All trains in use have a nominal capacity, and operators must plan their services to ensure that the aggregated number of Passenger's In Excess of Capacity is kept to 3 per cent. over the morning and evening peaks or 4.5 per cent. for either peak in isolation. Train operators conduct annual passenger counts to demonstrate compliance. If the thresholds are breached the company is required to produce an action plan to remedy the problem.