Olympic test-run on London transport leaves commuters grumbling

[marmar]

Olympic test-run on London transport leaves commuters grumbling
Exercise to test the capital's Olympic rail capacity coincides with the temporary closure of King's Cross St Pancras

Sam Jones Paul Owen and Haroon Siddique
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 10 July 2012


Thousands of Londoners endured a gruelling commute on Tuesday as a result of an exercise to test the capital's Olympic rail capacity, which raised fresh fears about the transport network's ability to cope during the Games.

With the Olympics just over a fortnight away, Network Rail and Southeastern trains rehearsed their station management plans to see how five key stations – London Bridge, Cannon Street, Waterloo East, Charing Cross and Victoria – will cope with the increased passenger numbers.

London Bridge was most affected by the exercise, with a queuing system put in place and entry to the station confined to the forecourt on Railway Approach/London Bridge Street. Commuters complained of increased queues, missed connections due to longer walks between Underground and Network Rail services and of contractors guiding passengers sending them the wrong way. Many said they were also angry they had not been warned about the exercise– a claim denied by the rail operators.

Trevor Preston, 50, a civil engineer, said: "It's ridiculous. I've been sent back and forth. It's going to be chaos during the Olympics. There are so many people speaking on PA systems, it's complete confusion." Debbie Thraves, 50, travelling from Orpington to Waterloo East with her 72-year-old disabled mother, Maureen Harris, to visit a friend in hospital, said: "Nobody seems to know what's going on. It's a lot of walking for disabled people, it's disgusting." .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/10/olympic-test-run-london-transport

[monmouth]

1. This is why they have "test-runs"...n/t

[tanyev]

2. Whew. Good time for locals to take a summer vacation.