March 2011

Fare Evasion at Pitsea

• Issue - It has been noticed that there were some new apparent ‘escape routes’ for fare evaders, through the hedge at the end of platform 1 and up the embankment and over the fence near the taxi shelter, behind platform 2. 
• Response – This is due to the ongoing access scheme works at Pitsea, there may be some temporary issues with ‘escape routes’ but that Network Rail’s contractors had been alerted to the problems and were helping to reduce the opportunities for fare evasion. On completion of the scheme, additional fencing and CCTV would be installed to help combat the problem.  

Morning peak overcrowding at Benfleet

• The 0742 and 0757 trains from Benfleet (both 12-car and fast to Fenchurch Street) were regularly leaving around 100 customers at Benfleet because of lack of seats. 
• These are two of the heaviest loaded trains on the route (the 0757 being the heaviest), and that there were no further options to lengthen formations until new rolling stock might become available (probably in the new franchise after 2013). In the mean time, the only options were to adjust calling patterns to try to even out peak loadings. This was kept under continual review.