Thameslink informs

The information system on the new Thameslink trains (between Bedford, Luton, St Pancras, Gatwick and Brighton) is excellent, reports our railway expert Andrew Sharp. 

The overhead displays show the destination and the next stopping point, together with a scrolling display of all the calling points. From time to time, this is replaced by other information – the status of London Underground lines, the location of toilets on the 12-car train (showing whether they are vacant, occupied or out of order), notification that CCTV cameras are in use, and train loading information.

This also shows which coach you are in. It has a colour-coded diagram showing, for each coach, plenty of room, half full, full, standing room only or ‘no information’. Walking from ‘half full’ to ‘standing room only’, it seemed accurate. Wide aisles and gangways encourage dispersion along the train.

The only slight disappointment – apart from noticing that people preferred to stand rather than disperse along the train – was that the Tube information was displayed longer than it should have been. Once the train has left London, no-one wants to know that there are delays on the Bakerloo Line! But in the reverse direction, it is perfect.

The plan is to add the train loading information to the platform info boards too.

www.thameslinkrailway.com

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum