From Monday, 5th September, Greater Anglia is now running longer ten-carriage trains on the Hertford East/Bishops Stortford to Stratford/London Liverpool Street routes.
The trains have at least 73 per cent more seats than the old trains they replaced, but because they are longer than some station platforms, customers should check which carriage they need to use to get on and off.
Platforms have been extended at Hertford East, Ware, Broxbourne, and Stratford to make them long enough for ten-carriage trains. However, shorter platforms remain at some stations, which means doors in some carriages will not open at those stations, but special door-opening software will ensure that doors only open where there is a platform next to them and any other doors not next to a platform stay shut.
Posters have been produced for each station affected, and there will be announcements on trains and graphics on passenger information screens on trains and platforms to show passengers which carriage they should travel in. The information is also available online at https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/station-information.
Stations with restricted platform lengths are: St Margarets, Rye House, Harlow Mill, Roydon, Waltham Cross, Enfield Lock, Brimsdown, Ponders End, Meridian Water, Northumberland Park, Tottenham Hale (platform 2), Lea Bridge, and Hackney Downs.
Passengers should check posters on platforms and listen out to announcements when travelling to or from these stations so that they board the train in the right section when they arrive at their destination.
Wheelchair-users should inform the member of staff of their destination so they are placed in the correct part of the train.
Cyclists should also use the right part of the train to ensure they can disembark at their destination. Cycle areas are marked with a green stripe with a bike icon on the outside, although there are restrictions on taking full-size bikes on Greater Anglia trains during rush hour.
Andrew Goodrum, Greater Anglia's client and programme director, said:
“Passengers on the Hertford East line can now see the full benefits of our new longer trains and enjoy more comfortable journeys with many more seats available.
“We're very grateful to customers on the Hertford East line for their patience this summer while we have carried out works to make platforms longer at Hertford East, Ware and Broxbourne.
“We're advising customers to check arrangements at some intermediate stations between Hertford East/Bishops Stortford and Stratford/London Liverpool Street as our new commuter trains are still longer than some of the platforms they will be stopping at, especially when they are ten carriages long.
“The trains' on-board computers are programmed so that doors will only open onto a platform – as is the case with many trains on other railways.
“We will do everything we can to make sure customers know which part of the train they need to be on to get on and off at the start and end of their journey.
“Anyone unsure about which carriage to travel in can ask a member of station staff or contact us using the assistance button on ticket machines which will put them through to a member of staff based in Norwich who will be able to help or tweet @GreaterAnglia.”
Other railway stations on the West Anglia route including Lea Bridge, Northumberland Park, Meridian Water, Ponders End, Brimsdown, Enfield Lock, Waltham Cross, Roydon, Rye House, St. Margaret’s, Ware, Harlow Mill, Sawbridgeworth, Stansted Mountfitchet, Elsenham, Newport, Audley End, Great Chesterford, Whittlesford Parkway and Shelford to have platforms upgraded to accommodate the 10-Car trains.