With the new Victoria Line stock that I blogged about last week it was interesting to see that there would be "more standing room" as though this was a bonus. The Metropolitan Line seems to be going the same way with new S stock and the local residents are none too pleased about the 30% reduction in seating due from 2009.
Over on Speakers Corner Blog - Russell says
"30% is quite a high figure, and they claim it is all down to meeting new disability legislation. This doesn't make sense at all, that is to be honest an over reaction, a serious over reaction. You might expect to lose maybe 15% at most, but what they are proposing is just mind-numbingly stupid.
To top it off, they are also proposing to have a single carriage instead of 8 separate ones. This stock will also be narrower, which for anyone who travels a large part of the Met line will tell you, that can't be a good thing.
This hasn't been thought out at all well, and I am pleased that papers like Harrow Observer, Pinner Observer, Harrow Leader, etc are trying to get something done. At least someone is thinking with their heads."
The local papers that Russell mentions have a Save our Seats campaign on their front covers and apparently there's a petition at Harrow-on-the-Hill station for passengers to sign. "For those who travel through this station and don't want up to be in a situation where you are even more packed in like cattle in a truck, then sign up." he urges.
Whether you travel on the Metropolitan Line or not I'd be interested in your opinion as there does seem to be a worrying trend towards fewer (and in my eyes, smaller) seats with the new Tube stock. Is fewer seats the way to go to cope with increased numbers of passengers or wounldn't increased frequency of trains be a better option?
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