[AMcWhirter]

Worrying YouTube posted by Tom Edwards BBC London this morning.

Shows severe overcrowding on the Elizabeth Line heading into Central London from the West.

Video filmed in the morning rush hour.

After seeing this maybe HEX (Heathrow Express) is worth the extra cost if you have lots of luggage and want a comfortable experience in the morning peak.

[TimFitzgeraldTC]

As usual not the full story and a chance to bash rail where they can.

At this stage projections were that Cross Rail would be carrying 500,000 people per day whereas often carries over 700,000 – and on track to pass 1m per day once it hits full opening – considerably above initial projections which would make it an overwhelming success even with the cost over-runs (which aren’t crazy considering other projects around the globe).

No doubt it will have moments when it is busy (maybe ask all those who had to suffer the Central line how they felt before CrossRail and how they feel now because they are probably jumping for joy by comparison), suffers cancellations and delays.

And yesterday had client notified at 4pm at City that there BHD flight was cancelled (5 of them). they managed to get to custom House and jump on Cross Rail and get direct to Heathrow by 5pm and we reissued them on the 18:55 LHR-BHD flight. Quick, easy and relatively painless.

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MJM, LuganoPirate, GreenScot, Adam, ASK1945

[AMcWhirter]

Hello Tim, I didn’t see Tom’s YouTube as a “chance to bash rail.” Reason I started this thread was to inform readers that, in the morning peak, Liz Line could become crowded further as the train gets closer to Central London.

Certainly if I had arrived with luggage off a long-haul overnight flight from SE Asia I wouldn’t wish that stress on our readers.

Anyway matters ought to improve from May 21 when the full timetable comes into operation.

My London has published a detailed report.

https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/elizabeth-line-faster-trains-heathrow-26136745

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LuganoPirate, Kjell

[LuganoPirate]

From the mid 60’s travelling by bus to school, to the late 70’s when I used to commute into and back from the S.E. to central London, the buses, trains and tube were always very crowded, actually more so than in the video above. I think it really depends on the time you’re travelling if you want to avoid the rush hour crush. As for those who arrive into LHR and want the cheaper option (I assume) to travel into or via London, I can only point to New York, Paris, Amsterdam and a good few other cities where I’ve travelled to and taken public transport at peak hours. Just as bad if not worse! Still, I suppose the BBC has to find something to moan about and fill a few minutes of airtime!!

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cwoodward

[cwoodward]

From what news I can gather from afar and from friends in London the overall situation looks to have vastly improved since the partial opening of this line and will improve further when the line fully opens in May.
London travellers will of course continue to moan if just for another topic other the the weather and that fool Harry and his obnoxious wife. The poor fellow seems to have become something of a glove puppet under the care of the US mind menders.

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Jeffrey, Nick Pike, LuganoPirate

[CathayLoyalist2]

cwoodward wrote:

From what news I can gather from afar and from friends in London the overall situation looks to have vastly improved since the partial opening of this line and will improve further when the line fully opens in May.
London travellers will of course continue to moan if just for another topic other the the weather and that fool Harry and his obnoxious wife. The poor fellow seems to have become something of a glove puppet under the care of the US mind menders.

Now cwoodward, come come. You had a go quite rightly at LaWhore to say this is a travel blog/forum not a political forum, hence I can´t see Meghan and Harry have anything to do with the Elizabeth Line overcrowding. Unless you are angling for a ticket to the Coronation?

[cwoodward]

CathayLoyalist2 I put my hand to being a trifle indulgent. Just couldn’t resist and I should know better but hay ho perhaps the invitation is on the way….our Cantonese driver is a great royalist and as I am unable to walk at the moment (spinal opp last week) would love to go. The medication may have caused this extravagant behaviour…..

[MartynSinclair]

cwoodward wrote:

and as I am unable to walk at the moment (spinal opp last week)

If we are allowed to wish people well on this business travel forum, I wish you well cwoodward. There may be no need to walk to a restaurant during my March, 24 hour visit but hopefully you will be fully recovered for the next visit…

On this occasion, just in case the airport express follows the Lizzy line with overcrowding, i have decided to book a hotel car to take me to Kowloon.

[cwoodward]

Martyn
Thanks, just a little tough at the moment but its early days.
Large fit sons are going to be of significant help for getting around in the near future.
I am pushing to get back to the office but a couple of obstacles to overcome yet but we will do it perhaps next week..
Cathay were magnificent all round in helping me get from the Bangkok hospital back to Hong Kong and into hospital.

Am working from home now and The Chinnery at the Mandarin beacons.

[cwoodward]

The number of passengers using the line is about 7% above the highest forecasts.
The total number of journeys passed the 100 million markon February 1st with now 22 trains running at peak times and increasing to 24 in May. The system is designed to take 32 trains per hour but cannot be achieved until Network rail upgrades the small length of lines that is used by Elizabeth line…..several years away it seems
The line is expected to be in operating profit by end November-well done MTR who maintain and operate the line.

[TimFitzgeraldTC]

Might be designed for 32 trains per hour but no plans to extend beyond 24 trains per hour that is due to come in May.

Thameslink which was supposed to have 24 has been cut to 22 per hour to improve reliability.

A train under every 2 minutes won’t ever happen. A train every 2:30 is doable at a push – but as not a closed railway like the tubes – getting that will be a challenge with GWR on one end and Anglia on the other.

[cwoodward]

Tim Very probably you are correct.
I was just quoting what the line was designed to achieve from the official information pack. Beyond that I have no idea what is currently possible – perhaps in the future ?

[RoyJones]

“A train under every 2 minutes won’t ever happen. A train every 2:30 is doable at a push – but as not a closed railway like the tubes – getting that will be a challenge with GWR on one end and Anglia on the other.”

I think you need to watch the Victoria line trains which can be every 90 seconds in rush hours – the next train will be entering the platform before the last one has left the platform, only possible with homogeneous trains stopping uniformly at every station.

Thameslink (London Bridge) was dreaming of a dwell time of 24 seconds, achievable only with fit people who know where they are going – try that with visitors and their suitcases or the very occasional passenger who is not quite “with it”, let alone a wheelchair needing a ramp.

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cwoodward

[TerryMcManus24]

Last Sunday..took TFL overground from Theobalds Grove to Heathrow T2 via lizzi line at Liverpool St and journey was almost perfect.Apart from a few minutes delay due to whatever arrived at the “Row” without any undue delays.Clean and comfortable ..not too busy..plus with internet connection its a great improvement from that grueling soul destroying adventure of the Piccadilly Line..t2 like T4 still a bit grimmmm..

[SwissExPat]

On the positive side, I recently flew into LCY on BA.

As the doors opened I sent a text to Mrs Expat at 1618Hrs.

I collect 1 checked bag, boarded the DLR to Stratford and walked to the ELizabeth line and headed for Paddington.

I checked into the Hilton and send another text from my room at 1733 Hrs.

So, total travel time incl bag collection, hotel check in etc was 1h 15 min.

Travel time on return from Paddingotn to Stratford was 16 min.

I was very impressed.

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TerryMcManus24

[Author]

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