The following has been released to the press today (31/08/2007) :

PRESS RELEASE

TRAIN HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT – PASSENGERS NOT CONSULTED

A passenger safety report entitled “Class 450 Ergonomic Assessment” was issued by South West Trains last week to reassure Portsmouth rail passengers that seating in the blue Class 450 high density surburban trains was not a risk to personal health. The report followed hundreds of formal complaints to the company from passengers suffering from sciatica and other back related illnesses attributed to the cramped and narrow seating in these trains.

The report was commissioned by SWT and compiled by the railway consultancy company Interfleet Technology Ltd. Only a short summary of the findings was made available to passengers, none of whom were consulted in the preparation of the report. Passengers seeking more information have been denied full access to Interfleet’s findings.

Whilst the report covers the medical aspects of the cramped conditions in the Class 450 trains little mention is made of seating space which has caused a high volume of complaints from regular passengers. For the 108 minute Portsmouth – Waterloo journey commuters are forced to occupy the confined 2+3 seating arrangement. The report recognizes that “there are some issues with seat width, and based on the available anthropometric data that when all seats are occupied, based on the 90:10 population, 59% of the population will exceed their seating envelope with their elbows”. The seating is only suitable for children and slightly built adults. The report also states that “The seat back tilt is 9.9 degrees and therefore falls just outside the recommended best practice...”

What the report fails to address is the lack of legroom, particularly in the window seats where passengers are forced to place a foot on the heater panel, thus twisting the spine and encouraging an unnatural slouch position. This compromises the accepted sitting position with feet placed shoulder width apart. Passengers on inside seats overspill into the centre aisle, blocking safe passage through the train. Many passengers prefer to stand, leaving the centre of 3 seats unoccupied, hence negating the supposed advantages of additional capacity.

65% of the 135 daily Portsmouth – Waterloo services now comprise these suburban trains which were designed for short haul London suburban services. Many commuters have quickly learnt to avoid these trains and have adjusted their daily work schedule to match the white Class 444 schedules. These popular trains have 2+2 seating in Standard and provide sufficient personal space to work, use laptops and read in relative comfort. However, many of the white trains have been transferred to the Southampton/Weymouth route to replace the well-liked Wessex Electrics which now lie idle in Eastleigh train sheds. The Southampton – Waterloo route is still served by 3 fast and comfortable mainline services per hour. Portsmouth remains the only destination on the south coast not served from the capital by mainline trains with adequate personal space, luggage stowage and tables.

SWT state that the suburban trains are needed to reduce overcrowding on the Portsmouth mainline. Despite a promise to passengers, they are reluctant to publish supporting evidence to justify the change. Passengers remain unconvinced that overcrowding is an issue and are satisfied that, apart from five peak hour trains which cause some standing for the 25 minute leg from Woking, the remaining 130 daily services and all weekend trains have plenty of available seats. Indeed the vast majority of these trains run with a reduced number of carriages.

Many passengers believe the Class 450 trains have been introduced to reduce leasing overheads and thus increase Stagecoach’s profits. According to Angel Trains, the leasing cost of a single blue Class 450 carriage is considerably less than the white Class 444 equivalent. Stagecoach renewed its 10 year rail passenger franchise in February and report a 15% increase in takings during the 12 weeks leading up to the end of July.

The No 450 Campaign, led by commuter David Habershon of Emsworth, continues to push for a ban on all high density suburban trains on the Portsmouth mainline. The campaign is supported by the Portsmouth Civic Society and Michael Hancock, Lib Dem MP for Portsmouth, has tabled questions in the House of Commons. Havant Borough Council, Environmental and Community Board, are scrutinizing the issue and a new Rail User Group has been formed in Haslemere where commuters are equally disenchanted with the inadequate rolling stock.


31 August 2007