Huge growth in passenger numbers at Woolwich line stations

Figures out today show large growth at some Southeastern stations in south east London.

For the first full year of TfL management of Abbey Wood station show a 20.6 per cent increase in counted passengers.

Overall numbers increased from 3.1 million to 3.7 million.

Hundreds of homes are empty

This occurred despite the local population reducing as nearby Thamesmead estate buildings saw residents leave in advance of rebuilding. Residents have moved out of a large number of homes along Harrow Manorway towards Southmere Lake.

Belvedere saw a healthy 11.6 per cent increase and Plumstead a stonking 41.5% increase.

I’ll cover other stations in a follow up post. The Woolwich and Greenwich line has seen extremely large growth at most stations. Some stations like Maze Hill are more than 50 per cent up.

Woolwich Arsenal was up 13.6 per cent and Woolwich Dockyard 45.3%.

 

------------------

Adverts are far from enough to cover site costs and my rent.

You can support me via Paypal here

Another option is via Patreon by clicking here

You can also buy me a beer/coffee at Ko-fi here

There's also a Facebook page for the site here

Many thanks

J Smith

I've lived in south east London most of my life growing up in Greenwich borough and working in the area for many years. The site has contributors on occasion and we cover many different topics. Living and working in the area offers an insight into what is happening locally.

7 thoughts on “Huge growth in passenger numbers at Woolwich line stations

  • I personally think last year’s Plumstead figures were wildly incorrect and this year’s figures are as much a correction as an increase.

    I always wonder how these figures deal with the phenomenon of buying a ticket which is not to your home station. I use Plumstead or Woolwich Arsenal, but my season ticket is to Abbey Wood because it’s the same price and you might as well get the additional availability for those days in which you go that way. Do I count as an Abbey Wood user because that’s what my ticket says, or do I count as a Plumstead user because that’s where I tap the smart card most frequently?

    Reply
  • I think since Abbey Wood has manned gates all day rather than during the peaks has played a part in people buying tickets too. Whereas people used to free ride prior to TFL taking over.. Obviously when people buy tickets to/from any given station its recorded in the system…

    Reply
  • I agree Matthew. All stations should be manned at all times from first to last trains. TFL have certainly made a difference at Abbey Wood Station since taking over the station it has to be said,

    Reply
  • So much money is lost to fare evasion which adds up to hundred thousands of pounds in lost reveniue each year which could go back in to improving services.

    So I have to agree with Matthew and CDT. TFL are doing abrilliant job here at Abbey Wood staffing the barrier all the time the stations are open.

    I would like to see TFL taking over all stations on South Eastern/Metro services and staff all stations from first to last trains which will also improve passenger safety.

    With more homes being built at nearbyThamesmead I can see passenger numbers continuing to grow at Abbey Wood Erith and Plumstead which are the nearest British Rail stations to Thamesmead for sometime to come.

    Reply
  • I fully agree that TFL should take over running of the South Eastern franchise so we have stations manned throughout the day and I’d urge those in favour of this to contact the Mayor, their GLA member and their MP so they understand the strength of public support for such a move.

    Reply
  • TfL has no money to take over the South Eastern metro routes and not only that the metro stock is often shared with outer Suburban routes, that was why the Gillingham service was sadly binned off to Thameslink as at the time it was expected that TfL would take over all metro routes with the exception of the Gillingham service which was neither metro or mainline but was more longer distance.

    Reply
  • Pingback: 30 extra trains for Southeastern announced today | Murky Depths

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.