Londoners are accustomed to delays on the tube, often for the usual reasons, signal problems, something on the tracks, medical emergencies, strikes, etc. Who can forget the time the trains were delayed because of sunlight?! Not weird enough? Wait for it. Tuesday morning, Overground trains between Stratford and Richmond were delayed because of a bubble wrap!
Yes it’s true; the stuff was blowing around and had to be removed from overhead power lines at Hackney Wick. The problem is all sorted now, and the delays are minimal and passengers will be relieved to know they can now pop onto the Overground with no problem.
As amusing as this story is, it’s not so amusing when one thinks about the constant struggles London transport has with trains being on time. The sheer numbers of passengers they have to move about into and out of the city on a daily basis is astounding. With aging trains, and older system, and an ever-growing city and population, it is no wonder there are regularly scheduled strikes from the unions.
As the city continues to expand, there will come a point where despite their efforts to work with the old system, it will simply have to be updated with faster trains and modern technology. It’s a shame one cannot expect modern amenities on trains headed in and out of London. For example, only a few trains offer the modern conveniences of outlets and USB chargers, and yet, these things are standard on buses that travel to the city.
It is hoped that London Transport will be able to figure something out before something catastrophic happens and they are forced into the future.
