LU plan to implement a new Vic Line timetable in May to take advantage of the
train and signalling upgrade. Only problem: none of it works as intended. The £9m trains each throw up all manner of defects. Their potential speed cannot
be relied upon; LU are implementing changes slower than planned, even cutting sections out of doors to reduce problems.
But this hasn’t stopped them putting more trains on an already overcrowded
line. For drivers, this means more peak, off peak & weekend working: potentially 28 days without a weekend rest day. Timetable 35 planned for Jan 2013 will be worse.
Changing ends at Brixton has been reduced to 4mins. Have you ever tried to get off a train, go to the toilet, wash your hands, walk the length of the platform and get back on the other end of the train, ready to go in less than 4mins?
