Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum

Standing around?
Saturday, 5 March 2011

"Dear Sir,

Last Friday I took my wife up to Lincoln and instead of using my car we
used the train from Spalding. Having caught the single carriage
'skateboard' it was reasonably full leaving the town. However, when it
left Sleaford it was standing room only and when it arrived at Lincoln
after two more stops even sardines had more room. I thought that
would be the end of it. There was chaos at the ticket barrier because
the EMT staff made everyone use the automatic system. Common sense
would have prevailed and a quick glance at tickets would have been a
bit quicker.

The return journey was even worse. The EMT staff at Lincoln nearly
resorted to being 'shovers' that you see on the Tokoyo underground
system to get everyone on board. Again it was a single 'skateboard'
but this time it was jammed packed similar to rush hour on the London
underground. Others passengers did comment that it was like this most
of the time. Therefore every time it stopped 3 or 4 people had to get
off to let other passengers alight. It was like this till the train
left Sleaford however, people were still standing even myself, till it
arrived at Spalding. When it left Spalding people were still standing.

This is not the first, nor will it be the last, time that people have
pointed out to EMT that they need to put at least a 2 car DMU on the
Peterborough – Lincoln services. At least then people won't feel like
sardines. "

Yours

Roger Jubb

Committee

Chair
George Scott

Deputy Chair
Louise McGuinness

Secetary
Vacant

Treasurer
Lyn Capes

Committee
David Hurdle, Liz Williams,
Stuart Hurst, Rodney Sadd
Ron Meredith and Kevin Mothers