Plan to scrap train toilets

Scrapping toilets could allow more passengers on board

A train operator wants to remove toilets from commuter services into London so more passengers can be squeezed on board.

Connex South East is considering commissioning purpose-built Metro trains on journeys up to half an hour from the capital such as from Dartford and Bromley.

The London Underground-style carriages would have fewer seats, extra standing room and no toilets.

But the plan has already brought opposition from rail user groups who accused the company of increasing commuter inconvenience.

Passengers would have to use station toilets

To make up for the lack of loos, Connex says all stations within the area had public conveniences.

A Connex spokesman said: "We have been carrying out a number of stakeholder meetings and we have circulated some thoughts and ideas.

"The revised Metro train would carry people more comfortably than other trains.

"Tubes have train journeys of up to an hour so it would be very similar to that really.

'Numbers tinkering'

"I think most people accept if you know there are no toilets on the train, you would make appropriate arrangements."

Rail Passengers Council spokesman Philip Wilkes said getting rid of toilets on trains and restoring them at stations was not the answer to commuter misery.

He said: "If they do put them back on stations and they are manned all the time the trains are running, then I do not think I would be too worried.

"But I cannot think getting rid of toilets on trains will give many more seats.

"It's just tinkering with the numbers. I'm not sure it will make much difference.

Plan approval

"Overall the level of inconvenience of not having toilets is more than the number of seats created. The answer is more capacity."

The idea is at an early stage, forming part of Connex's bid to get its franchise extended, so there is no timescale and no figures of how many more people could be accommodated.

Nothing would be settled without first having talks with the Strategic Rail Authority, Rail Passengers Council and London Transport Users Committee, the Connex spokesman said.