Forum Topic

Why? (Putney Station)

Again today there was a crowd of people gathering through the barriers at the top of the stairs between Platforms 1-2.  I really do not understand why there is a need for this (unless it is raining).The 8:59 was on Platform 1 and was delayed until 9:02.The 9:04 was on Platform 2 and was on time.If you need the slow stops go to Platform 1, if you want the next quickest train to CJ/V/Waterloo take Platform 2.  If you want a seat potentially take the slow train!It's really not hard and just makes everyone going through the barriers have to navigate around. And I have only had one platform change in my 4 years of daily commuting in Putney.

Gabrielle O'Mahoney ● 2861d11 Comments

Gabrielle, my experience is rather different.  I rarely have to travel at peak times nowadays but the main reason why people gather at the top is because nobody can be sure now which train will come in first, if at all.  Also, if you have mobility issues, making the decision too early which platform to go to could mean missing your train altogether.  The train service is reaching new peaks of unreliability and the display boards are not necessarily accurate.  As you will have seen, they change quite often anyway.SWR know there is a problem but it seems beyond them even to get someone in Barnes to tell someone in Putney which line the next train is actually running on.  If the display boards were more reliable then the problem would go away.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2861d

That’s  my experience as a peak time commuter too.  Too many times I’ve gone for platform 1 then just before the train is due the display puts it back 5 minutes and everyone rushes over to platform 2.So I too, at times, stand at the top and wait to see.  I also check the national rail app now, which I never used to think of, as that is often faster on updates.

Mike Warman ● 2861d

At times they also announce that the display isn't correct and the first train coming is on the other platformI dont really understand why this happens! Not a good idea in wet weather!

Emarisa Battoia ● 2861d

Just a nice old fashioned announcement from the Station staff, (there are still station staff aren't there?), saying something like " the next rain to Waterloo will depart from platform 1" would fix this. It'd make a nice change from "see it, say it, sort it!!"

Bill Christie ● 2861d

Before the changes to Putney station, if I was on a platform and a change was announced, as long as I wasn't far from the stairs, I could run and get to the other platform. No longer. So I often hover if there's not much difference in the predicted arrival times.By the way, does anyone know why the franchise was taken from South West Trains, which seemed all right to me, and given to South Western Railways? Just another stunning move by our illustrious Transport Secretary Grayling?

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2861d

I rarely get the train from Putney, but did in November to get to Gatwick and fly to a holiday.Dragging my case along, (I am always happy there are lifts at Putney hence not going to Barnes), but they changed the platforms once I got to the first one and I only had a few minutes to change.  It was very stressful pulling my case and going up and down in the lift and trying to see which platform was the correct one, believe me!!  From now on I will stick at the top and see how the trains are progressing.Btw I thought SW Trains were wonderful!

Bunny Payne ● 2861d

As Mike says the NR app usually has the most accurate information and if one delves into the details you can look at the progress of the train as it moves from station-to-station. One occasion at Victoria (OK Southern not SWR) the app had better data than the information desk staff. The only time at Putney I've found the staff have better information is when there's been a major incident (eg trespassing on the track) and the signalling staff seem to have been changing points etc in response to the incident and seemingly relaying that by phone to the station staff as they do it!

Michael Ixer ● 2861d

@Mike google opentraintimes.com u can follow your train. Click on maps and then Putney u can see where your train is. I believe the station staff use this too. Not sure if it's on an app yet.

Paul Game ● 2861d

"sigh"  alright, another app

Bunny Payne ● 2861d

At Wimbledon Station they always announce which of the tube trains will be the first to leave, which is very helpful.

Liam Jones ● 2861d

And they also have signs which seem to be always correct. Mind you, it is a terminus, so it is simpler.

David Ainsworth ● 2860d