On 27 Sep, 23:13, "María" wrote:
"Mizter T" wrote:

On 27 Sep, 18:21, John B wrote:
On 27 Sep, 16:14, Boltar wrote:

Stations like Kings Cross St Pancras can get very overcrowded at peak
times
(even more so in Nov when Eurostar at FCC move stations), but is the
entire
closure of the station a routine occurrence?

You have to remember that the london underground is a **** poor
overpriced service

You have to remember... that Boltar must be allowed his rants.

Please don't be so patronising. You will be telling us to move along down
the carriages next or to use all available doors... Boltar like myself is
probably a daily commuter who has to put up with a shoddy service that
treats its customers like trash but charges them a fortune, day after day.
Part of the problem is that the British tend to accept what they're given
without complaint, if more people complained and ranted things might change.


It was just an off-hand comment, not really to be taken too seriously!
I don't follow his words that closely but he does have - IMO at least
- a little bit of a reputation for rants! I was not suggesting - not
for a second - that he shut up however. He's a contributor to this
newsgroup of some pedigree and it's all the richer for his presence,
and for the presence of many viewpoints.

I would disagree with your notion that LU treats it's customers like
trash, though yes there are times when it does a bad job (and
occasionally a very bad job). Regarding the cost - I don't regard LU's
fares as costing a 'fortune', but yes they can be more expensive than
many other metro systems around the world (though some of the
comparisons don't compare like with like - indeed it's often difficult
to compare like with like given the different fare structures in use).

As John Band has already pointed out the London Underground network
isn't a profitable endeavour - it is subsidised fairly heavily by
public money. However other metro systems around the world are more
heavily subsidised, and have also benefited from a constant investment
over the years - LU meanwhile is catching up on years of under-
investment. This is a far broader question of politics and policy.

In addition there is the more immediate concern that if fares were to
be lower tomorrow then this would encourage more passengers to use LU
- leading to further overcrowding problems. The existing network is
now undergoing modernisation to increase capacity - but there is only
so much that can be done. New lines would provide far more capacity
but they are incredibly expensive - the ongoing saga of getting
funding together for Crossrail (the new east-west metro line through
London) shows the difficulties that are encountered.

Ranting at LU won't help sort-out the fundamental issues regarding
transport policy - they'd love to build new lines here, there and
everywhere - and would do so if they were given the dosh! But such
decisions are for central government to make.


However stations such as KXSP are always liable to be closed
temporarily if overcrowding occurs (and if there's a problem on any of
the lines stopping at the station this becomes a far more likely
possibility).

It's this meek acceptance that is part of the problem. Why is a mainline
station in one of the most prosperous capital cities in the world liable to
close so frequently? Obviously there is/are some unacceptable design
fault(s) that should be remedied. I don't think it happens in other
developed countries.

The problems over the past few days have been caused by disruption on
the Circle, H&C and parts of the District line - which was caused in
turn by alleged problems with some trains. How much this is a real
issue and how much this is trade union sabre-rattling is not something
I'm clued up enough to judge - there are other discussions on this
newsgroup pertaining to all that.

When trains are running OK then it's far less likely for it to get
overcrowded and temporarily close.

Rebuilding the whole complex including the platforms, which would mean
the station had a bit more give before overcrowding would cause it to
close, would be a massive and very expensive project. And closing when
the station gets overcrowded is a sensible way to avert the risk of
mishaps that could otherwse occur.

Basically the best way to deal with potential overcrowding problems at
stations such as KXSP is for LU to ensure that all their lines are
working properly. The current modernisation plan's aim is to do just
that.


I'd suggest some pretty obvious advice which is that
it's always a good idea for commuters to have a plan B and indeed C
should there be problems.

Picking up the Victoria line at Euston or Warren Street, the
Piccadilly line at Russell Square, the Northern line at Warren St/
Goodge St/ the Angel/ Mornington Crescent (bing!) or taking an FCC
train out of KX to Finsbury Park (Oyster PAYG is valid on National
Rail between these stations only - do remember to touch-in & out!) are
possibilities that spring to mind.

Those heading east-west should consider using the Central line (in
combination with the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Victoria or Northern as
required) and should bear in mind that Lancaster Gate station is
*very* close to Paddington, a 5 minute walk if even that. The Central
line will also deliver passengers to Mile End for interchange with the
District line heading east.

This is helpful advice.

María

I think it worth having a plan in place to avoid potential trouble
spot stations such as KXSP and Victoria - most of the time of course
things will be fine, but when things get messed up it's very useful to
have a back-up - e.g. when Victoria underground station has been
closed for overcrowding (because of problems on the District and
Circle) it is just a short walk down to Pimlico for the Victoria line
- it is surprising how few people will actually do this though.
Actually having tested out any back-up plans is also helpful - Russell
Square station, for example, isn't in an instantly obvious location,
but once you've used it then you know how to find it.

Having a Tube map on you can also come in very handy in such
situations - a friend swears by his credit-card sized central London
Tube map which he carries in his wallet for just such an occasion.

Lastly I hope I haven't been patronising in this message - if I have
been I assure you it wasn't my intention!