Sevenoaks commuters wanting to use the 06.31 service to Charing Cross have been facing problems for weeks. The train is often full and standing when it arrives at Sevenoaks; and there are “sardine” conditions on departure from Orpington. I’ve been trying to find out why.

I’ve talked to office colleagues who commute from Tunbridge Wells and High Brooms. Apparently there are currently very few seats available even for commuters boarding at High Brooms. They say that the overcrowding on this service is due to two things:

• Crowborough commuters are fleeing Southern and driving to Tunbridge Wells. They can park on Tunbridge Wells Common where cheap parking is available. From there it is only a five minute walk to Tunbridge Wells Station.
• The preceding service is a Cannon Street one. It now doesn’t stop at London Bridge. So commuters for London Bridge have transferred to the train that becomes the 06.31 at Sevenoaks.

Given the excessive crowding on this service, it’s time that Southeastern added a third four-car unit to the formation. Eight coaches is inadequate for current demand.

It would be interesting to know whether Southern’s Crowborough passengers are themselves paying to use Southeastern’s services from Tunbridge Wells or whether their Southern season tickets are being accepted by Southeastern. Either way Southeastern will be getting more revenue, and they should be using that to put on more capacity, rather than just squeeze even more sardines into the usual can.

Update: It’s been pointed out that Southern customers are also coming across to Frant and Wadhurst. The 0631 comes from Hastings, so it would collect extra customers from those stations too.

What’s your experience of the 0631 please? Let us know here.