Assembly asks train passengers to help banish 'cattle-trucks'

Passengers are being asked to recount details of their commuting experiences to the London Assembly to help an investigation into overcrowding.

The transport committee wants to hear from the thousands of people who use the capital's 50 overground routes - many of which suffer from cattle-truck conditions during the morning and evening rush hour.

The committee hopes to draw up an accurate picture of the pinchpoints on the network, for example where several trains go past full before commuters can board. Labour's Val Shawcross, the committee's chairwoman, said: "Many people who commute into and around London know only too well that overcrowding causes daily misery on many routes.

"It's time to look for real solutions, and to do that we need to know exactly where problems peak - not just which route, but which station."

The most recent survey shows that passenger satisfaction falls from 60 per cent to 33 per cent at peak times when trains are overcrowded.

The investigation, which will report back next year, will include a public hearing with passenger groups as well as with the rail operators.