Transport chiefs vow DLR overcrowding will ease
The extension of the DLR is still causing problems for commuters, but improvements have been promised soon.
Since the new Woolwich Arsenal station opened in early January there has been overcrowding on parts of the line.
Last month, residents of Britannia Village at West Silvertown told The Wharf they could not get on packed trains at rush hour.
While that has eased up recently, now those who live in Blackwall complain the problems continue.
One Docklands resident, who commutes from Blackwall to her office in Euston, said: “Since it was opened all users have suffered. There have been numerous issues.
"There are limited trains still and the trains that are working are packed. It is impossible to get on if you live around Canary Wharf.
“It is a disaster for the users that have had access to it for years.
“If you open a new station you have to increase the number of services.�
The disgruntled commuter said she has to leave an hour earlier to arrive at work on time and was even considering moving away from Canary Wharf.
She also said she is frustrated that she has not been able to register her complaint with DLR.
She said: “It’s got really frustrating as there’s no-one to talk to.
“I’ve spent weeks trying to call the complaints line and always end up getting the answer phone.�
Transport for London has promised an increased service when Tower Gateway reopens in the spring.
TfL spokesman Allan Ramsay said: “The DLR service from Woolwich Arsenal is bedding in well. Currently we are running an average of a train every seven minutes during the peak and one every 10 minutes in off-peak.
“When Tower Gateway reopens shortly we will be able to run a train every five minutes during the peak which will significantly increase capacity.�
Serco Docklands, which runs the DLR line, added that if customers leave a message on the customer service line they will get a response.
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The statement from DLR that they are running a 7 minute service from Woolwich during the peak period is misleading. Every second train during this period terminates at Blackwall and there is still only a 10 minute service into Bank which is very overcrowded.
A service terminating at Blackwall is of no use to those wishing to travel from Blackwall to Bank.
As of 19th Feb, between 8 - 9.30am it is still nearly impossible to get on at West Silvertown(Britannia Village).
The apology handed out some weeks ago claiming TfL had compelted a survey, and noted that most people travelling from station before Canning Towm, would change to the Jubilee line, were obviously not correct...
I would invite TfL spokesman Allan Ramsay to come and enjoy the new service "bedding in".
The extra shuttle services, stopping at Blackwall are only 30% fulkl. They are not helping significantly with the overcrowding all along the line into Bank.
TfL appear to "know" what commuters need without actually asking any of them or providing a reliable method of obtaining feedback.
On a lighter note, DLR staff have added some amusement this morning at Limehouse by having the equivalent of a Japanese style tube "pusher" telling everyone there is "room for one more"!
I assume that is the latest "solution" so look out for one on a staion near you!