On Mon, 17 Jul 2006 12:31:00 +0100, Craig wrote:


Hi,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5186896.stm

Well I went to see the mock up early this morning. A bit like a rogue's
gallery of people I know but at least staff were showing interest.

The main points are

a) the train seems wider and taller inside.
b) very bright and shiny inside - let's hope they can stay that
way. Panels are white, seat covers are a white and blue patterned
design. Handrails are a darker blue that Vic Line map blue in order to
provide suitable contrast.
c) seats are not as wide as now but are not as awful in terms of
width as the most recent new stocks and refurbs.
d) the seat backs are very upright which sort of pulls you in to
provide more gangway space. The seat cushions are decidedly thin.
e) there are warning lights at eye level inside the door aperture
to show the doors are closing.
f) there are white LEDs that illuminate the vestibule just inside
the doors.
g) the ventilation vents are at above your head if you are seated
but are at an awful height in you are standing in the tip up seat area.
h) the positions for the passenger alarms and intercoms are not,
IMO, ideal as they angled away from users and protrude into the area
where someone may have their head as they leave the train. Hard to
describe in words but this needs more work.
i) the tip up / wheelchair area is most odd. there are six tip up
seats with a central partition to allow a wheelchair user to park their
chair against it. The top of the seat cushion, when vertical, is shaped
so you can perch on it. If you do this and are above 5'7" then your head
collides with the vents.
j) still in the tip up area there are no horizontal grab rails
above the tip up area and no verticals either apart from one to support
the partition and even that curves towards the car side. This means
everyone standing would have to hold the grab rail on the other half of
the ceiling. I understand this issue is going to be sorted out to
provide a grabrail - seems the interpretation of the regulations was a
little too literal.
k) the doors are externally hung - similar to northern and jubilee
line trains.
l) there are external and internal electronic displays showing the
standard destination / next station messages.

The DfT, Travelwatch, council representatives and some disabled groups
have already been to visit. The Mayor hasn't popped along - yet!

Overall not bad but the seating is the worst aspect and I made that
point rather forcibly. The initial response was "most people only
travel short distances". I replied by saying Walthamstow to Victoria is
about a 30 minute journey and uncomfortable seats are not what people
expect.

In case anyone is in doubt about whether there will be real market
research - I've seen misinterpretations of the TFL press release on
other groups - there most certainly will be during the public sessions.
For those with a genuine interest in anything to do with the Vic Line /
Tube or simply as an interested passenger I would recommend visiting if
you possibly can.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!