For Nikhil Patel, the 5.46pm train from London Euston to Crewe marks the most challenging moment of his week. The 22-year-old has never managed to secure a seat on the service. As the train sways, he clings to the gangway to stay upright. Patel makes this trip as part of his journey home to Walsall after working a computer science internship in the capital, and the train is the first step in a three-hour commute.
Patel expresses gratitude that the train has at least left on schedule. However, he recalls incidents where the service has been called off entirely after all passengers have already boarded. On another day, the journey home took five hours due to significant delays, disrupting his travel plans and missing a connecting train.
A packed journey
The 5.46pm rush-hour train, managed by London Northwestern Railway (LNR), is recognized as the busiest commuter-only route in England and Wales. According to the Department for Transport, it ranks as the second busiest overall, with the top spot held by a morning Thameslink service that runs from Bedford to Three Bridges. This particular route passes through major international hubs, including St Pancras International, Luton, and Gatwick airports.
In the Department for Transport’s autumn analysis, the service had a load factor of 170%, meaning that more people traveled than the train’s maximum capacity. LNR claims that since the data was collected, the number of seats on the service has increased from 460 to 812. Despite this, the rush to board at Euston station remains a chaotic event, as commuters scramble to get on before the train departs.
Standing and sitting in hot conditions
At first, the service appears less crowded than usual, but as the 5.46pm departure time approaches, the carriages fill up rapidly. Passengers use small fans to combat the summer heat, while most gangways are packed with individuals who have not managed to secure a seat. The train eventually departs, but it is a challenging ride for those left standing in the aisles.
Daniel Garrill, a 23-year-old data analyst, regularly travels on this route. He says he expects to find himself in a tricky spot, as he has never managed to get a seat during his weekday commutes. Garrill travels between London and Manchester at least twice a week, requiring him to carry a suitcase. He finds it difficult to manage his luggage due to the lack of available space.
Akshay Vaghela, 31, is heading to Rugby and says he is used to standing for half the journey. On occasion, he is forced to sit on the floor of the carriage. This route is particularly popular because it costs less than the alternative, more direct Avanti service to Crewe. Vaghela says he is resigned to the reality of the journey, knowing that booking this service means a battle for seats and often a place to rest.
The push for rail reform
Newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham has long criticized rail operators for poor performance. During his tenure as mayor of Greater Manchester, he made headlines by calling out underperforming services. Burnham has consistently argued that nationalising the railways is a simple and necessary step. As mayor, he initiated the Bee Network, which reintegrated privatized bus and tram systems under local government control and limited fares to £2.
Burnham’s recent experience with the railways was far from smooth when he took a 10.54am Avanti West Coast train from Manchester to Euston. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also had a difficult journey, describing how she had to sit on the floor of a crowded train traveling from London Paddington to her constituency in Swindon.
Burnham has hinted at a faster path toward rail renationalisation, referencing that several operators were already placed under state control during the previous government led by Keir Starmer. He has stated that renationalising the railways would bring down train fares and make travel more affordable for people. Vaghela, who regularly faces these issues, is hopeful that Burnham’s leadership could bring about meaningful change.