Forum | Merseyside Dennis Dart Website

I recently spent a year commuting from Southport to Bootle Oriel Road and back courtesy of Merseyrail. What an eye opening experience as I'd previously not used the service for several years. Couldn't believe the overcrowding, especially on the way home around 17.00 hours. Trains constantly running over 5 minutes late with 3 cars absolutely STUFFED like sardine cans.
At first I was SHOCKED when the train pulled in with hundreds of passengers standing and SQUASHED against the doors. Doors opened and lots more people CRUSHED on by physically shoving and barging their way on. (Me included).
Once on the train there are insufficient handrails so many passengers just moved randomly around with the throng. Felt very dangerous to me, and of course at the next station (Bootle "NEW"! Strand) even more hapless travellers joined us on board. Never usually got a seat until Formby, whereupon I counted all my limbs and digits to ensure everything was intact.
Eventually I became resigned/used to this daily adventure, but not a comfortable trip, that's for sure. Also noticed many people without tickets but guards "let them off", and the gangs of "enforcers" who boarded the train most evenings, used the public address system to warn everyone about alcohol, smoking, feet on seats etc. and then proceeded to walk through the train looking for offenders, having tipped them off in advance!

Just travelled in the 1925 from Moorfields to Southport and Sunday night it was a six car working!! Also the "enforcers" trudged through the teain after a similar announcement and not checking a single ticket. Comical totally comical. Btw the train reeked of booze and wacky baccy.

(05/03/2017 20:51)B10B6514 Wrote: [ -> ]Just travelled in the 1925 from Moorfields to Southport and Sunday night it was a six car working!! Also the "enforcers" trudged through the teain after a similar announcement and not checking a single ticket. Comical totally comical. Btw the train reeked of booze and wacky baccy.

It will be a 6 car working due to the wall collapse at Lime St and an increased number of people interchanging to other trains at Liverpool South Parkway.As for your other points I can't comment on them

Merseyrail loses DOO strike challenge

https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2017/03/...lenge.html

Credit: Rail News.

Strike announce for Grand National Saturday which will also include Northern and Southern.

(21/03/2017 16:04)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Strike announce for Grand National Saturday which will also include Northern and Southern.

I suppose it was inevitable after the talks broke down. Prepare for carnage!

(21/03/2017 18:25)507009 Wrote: [ -> ]I suppose it was inevitable after the talks broke down. Prepare for carnage!

It will be interesting to see what type of service that will operate , will it be an Aintree service at the cost of all other northern line services , its a case of wait and see .

Been a suicide at Leasowe services disrupted

Liverpool Mayor intervenes over Merseyrail strike

https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2017/03/...yrail.html

Credit: Railnews.

(28/03/2017 13:35)St Helens Rider Wrote: [ -> ]Liverpool Mayor intervenes over Merseyrail strike

https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2017/03/...yrail.html

Credit: Railnews.

I wish the RMT would stop going on about a Dutch business imposing DOO - it was a decision taken by Labour controlled Merseytravel. Although, at least this time they have at least mentioned Serco are involved in running the franchise. If DOO is such a big issue then at the local elections people in Merseyside can elect a Lib Dem controlled council (a Conservative one is as likely as the Mick Cash shutting down the RMT and the Conservatives are more pro-DOO than Labour.)