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Post by celestine on Jul 15, 2012 19:53:43 GMT
Does anyone (possibly those on the inside of SET) know what will really happen to our transport system during the Olympics?
(On a personal level, travelling on the old Ashford line to Charing Cross.)
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Post by genehuntisking on Jul 18, 2012 15:03:21 GMT
Not a huge amount. The trains may be busier at certain times of day, and a number of people that currently use the High Speed line may use the Mainline up via Tonbridge instead. I think there is a limited High Speed service from Ashford, and maybe one from Ramsgate in the morning, check South Eastern website. Otherwise pretty, much business as usual (i.e. the normal timetable), with a handful of extra late trains in the evening, although I don't recall Tonbridge to Ashford getting anything after the 23.40 from Charing Cross, there is a late night train to Hastings.
A number of trains going through places such as Greenwich and Blackheath will be longer than usual during the day and evenings. In addition some of the busier London stations may have a queuing system in place on occasions if platforms start getting over crowded the number of people allowed in will be limited.
I seem to remember on one of the early days (first Monday or Tuesday July 30th or 31st) there will be limited access to London Bridge station from the street.
Probably for the precise details you could try the South Eastern website, or Get ahead of the games website.
The Gene Genie
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Post by chapelwood on Jul 18, 2012 16:54:14 GMT
Does anyone (possibly those on the inside of SET) know what will really happen to our transport system during the Olympics? High Speed will only have a half-hourly service from Ashford (not starting back from Dover or Thanet) and an hourly service from Faversham, though 8 trains per hour between Ebbsfleet, Stratford and St Pancras. The other significant change is that Woolwich Dockyard station will be closed, Maze Hill will have no trains from London before midday, and no trains to London after midday. Westcombe Park and Deptford will lose some stops. These changes are to accommodate longer station stops at the Games stations of Woolwich Arsenal, Charlton, and Greenwich.
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busman
Junior Member
Posts: 61
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Post by busman on Jul 20, 2012 7:14:20 GMT
Does anyone (possibly those on the inside of SET) know what will really happen to our transport system during the Olympics? (On a personal level, travelling on the old Ashford line to Charing Cross.) Personally I think SET have got the fingers and every thing else crossed , I think they hoping a large number of commuters are going to work from home or go on holiday during the Olympic period. I believe they hoping a reduction of 30% on the commuter traffic to allow for extra numbers going to the games. Just hope for their sake us commuters hold up to our end of the barging as we are forced to work from home and other offices or forced to take annual leaves gives them is enough spare capacity. Others wise I can see it ending in tears!!
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Post by celestine on Jul 20, 2012 8:38:59 GMT
Busman, This is what concerns me. We get all the official guff and "Get ahead of the Games" - sigh - but I do wonder if SET and others are simply crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. Or running round like headless chickens in a panic.
I for one, have no option but to maintain my daily commute into London for the full duration of the Games, and at my usual peak times. There must be many like me.
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Post by genehuntisking on Jul 22, 2012 10:17:45 GMT
I don't think its a case of "crossing fingers and hoping for the best" or "Running round like headless chickens". As I said before, up the mainlines from Ashford and Medway I wouldn't expect to see a huge amount of difference, except that there are likely to be extra people displaced from the High Speed services (which apparently four years ago nobody was going to use anyway, but that's a different story). For regular High Speed users, then yes it will be different.
Aligned with school holidays when ridership traditionally drops away, although it will be busy, there is nothing to panic about. There may be times when a few stations (London Bridge particularly) restrict entry to the platforms, but this happens regularly at Victoria tube station and nobody bats an eyelid.
The large volumes of people for games events will be heading for Greenwich, Blackheath, Charlton and Woolwich, and the huge majority will be heading out from London in the morning and back in during the afternoon/evening.
Just to give it some perspective, while there are expected to be 75000 people going to Greenwich Park for some of the Equestrian events, South Eastern regularly deals with 20000 - 30000 people for football at Charlton by laying on one additional train.
Nobody is going to be left high and dry, for want of a better phrase "Keep calm and carry on".
Worth remembering that none of the Transport companies actually asked for this either, so perhaps try and remember not to take it out on the frontline staff. They still have a job to do the same as you.
The Gene Genie
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Post by celestine on Jul 23, 2012 8:20:19 GMT
Wooooahhhh... absolutely no intention of taking anything out on SET staff. I'm always very polite to them! (But thanks for the replies Gene.)
The "extra people" is a bit of a concern as there are few enough seats at normal times, especially on the Cannon Street services. Hope you're right about lots of regulars having time off. My boss is, so I can't...!
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busman
Junior Member
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Post by busman on Jul 26, 2012 7:31:02 GMT
Does anyone (possibly those on the inside of SET) know what will really happen to our transport system during the Olympics? (On a personal level, travelling on the old Ashford line to Charing Cross.) Set has not had a really good start to this important period. So far this week my return home from Victory has 2 days of short formed trains and 1 day of delays. Not a good start!!
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paolo
New Member
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Post by paolo on Jul 29, 2012 7:26:29 GMT
Does anyone know is SE are planning any late services for the closing ceremony? Can't find any info on their website.
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Post by chapelwood on Jul 29, 2012 16:59:29 GMT
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Post by genehuntisking on Aug 4, 2012 8:13:22 GMT
So, having reached the half way stage, how's it been going for everyone? Tuesday evening was a bit messy at Cannon St, any other problems?
The Gene Genie
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paolo
New Member
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Post by paolo on Aug 5, 2012 8:05:40 GMT
Much quieter than normal for me.
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Post by celestine on Aug 5, 2012 8:14:30 GMT
Me too (but think I' m from the same station as you Paolo.
The "one way system" at CHX is a bit annoying though, funnelling all commuters through one exit when the rest of the station is deserted is a bit of overkill, I think. I feel a bit sorry for tHE "Gamesmakers"- They must be bored out of their skulls!
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