Published on: Monday, 25 June 2018
Last updated: Monday, 25 June 2018
Greater Anglia’s staff at London Liverpool Street station are asking passengers to help them improve punctuality by getting on board trains at least 30 seconds before departure times.
From Monday 25 June, train doors at Liverpool Street will close 30 seconds before departure so that trains leave the station on time.
At the moment, even though there are posters and signs saying that train doors will close 30 seconds before departure, sometimes the doors stay open for longer.
As a result, some trains are leaving Liverpool Street late, which can have a knock-on effect on the whole timetable.
Lee Ivor Smith, Area Customer Service Manager for Liverpool Street, said: “Our customers want our trains to run on time. Annually, just under 90 per cent of our trains are currently punctual, but we want that figure to be even better.
“By making sure that trains depart Liverpool Street on time, we can make sure they get off to a good start on their journeys. If the doors aren’t closed until 30 seconds before departure, the train can be late departing, which can then result in further delays to that train - and sometimes to other trains too.
“We’re asking customers to allow themselves enough time to catch the train so that they can get on board before the doors shut 30 seconds before the train’s due to leave.
“We want trains to leave bang on time and ensure a good service for passengers, day in, day out.”
Extra signs have been installed informing customers train doors will close 30 seconds before departure and services will not be advertised on the station screens less than a minute before departure to help ensure trains leave at the right time.
The process may be relaxed, if appropriate, during times of disruption and trains are running late, to help minimise delays for passengers.
In a normal week, over 760 trains set off for East Anglia from Liverpool Street between the start of Monday and the end of Friday. At times during the rush hour 55 trains an hour leave the station - almost one per minute.
Greater Anglia trains use 18 platforms at Liverpool Street station, but there are only six tracks for services use to come in and out of the station, so punctual operation, as well as being crucial for passengers, depends on smooth, consistent despatch of trains in their planned slots.