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Passengers weighed to stop overcrowding
Last updated at 12:28pm on 16.04.07
Rail-weigh station: Southeastern will calculate how heavy passengers are
Commuters are to be weighed as they squeeze aboard packed trains in an attempt by rail bosses to work out exactly how overcrowded services are.
Train operator Southeastern is linking the suspension of its carriages to a computer system that works out the weight of passengers getting on at each station. Other rail firms are installing laser beams across carriage doors to count exactly how many people board each service.
Southeastern, which carries 200,000 commuters in and out of London during the morning peak, operates the region's two most congested rail services - the 8.03am Orpington to Charing Cross service and the 6.32am from Folkestone Central to Cannon Street.
Brian Rowley, service specification manager, said the new computer-counting system was a "real step forward" in the fight to ease overcrowding.
Other commuter operators - including Southern Railways and South West Trains - are also installing equipment to collect more detailed information than ever before.
Stagecoach-owned SWT is to use laser counters on carriage doors.
Reader views (9)
Some operators have been doing this for over ten years, it is the most effective way of determining how many passengers are travelling on the train each day, which services should be made longer (where they can be made longer), and how the stopping pattern of a train affects the loadings. The whole aim of it is to make sure that the coaches are used in the most effective way possible.
- Joe, London UK
Everyone should have to wear an "approved" badge with their weight on it, scanners in the entry to the cars will read the badge and allow passengers on to the weight limit of each car.
- John Horton, Phoenix, Arizona USA
Color me foolish, but wouldn't the money have been better spent adding some carriages? The cause of overcrowding appears quite obvious: too few trains to meet the demand.
- R M, London, UK
Obese people should definitely be charged more; the heavier the train the more power is required to overcome its inertia and get the thing moving - same as in cars, basic laws of physics. Therefore, the power drain is higher, so the costs of running the train increase. Also, obesity places a huge drain in healthcare resources, and, as a condition it is entirely preventable. If more "fat taxes" were introduced, this would have the effect of providing incentives for people to live healthier lifestyles, and save them money - a double win. This is not as unreasonable and invidious as it may sound, and it is a real pain when squashed against the train carriage by someone needlessly carrying a BMI of around 50.
- Jk, London, UK
Gosh - would it be inappropriate to suggest that the money devoted to this - hate to say it - fat-uous exercise be devoted to, oh, I don't know, maybe buying... more carriages?
- Helene Davidson, London
Obese fares may not be a bad idea, there are a couple of people who get on the same train as me that take up two seats! Sorry, I know I am on a route where we get seats.
- Stuart, Dunstable UK
Will trains be stopping at railweigh stations in future?
- Ivor, Harrow, UK
What might help would be rather than banning bikes on peak services is actually enforcing the ban, they could also try forcing pushchairs to be folded up on peak services.
- Trevor Roll, London
I can see it coming - child, adult and obese fares!
- Michael, London
