Train overcrowding in the United Kingdom

Train overcrowding, technically known as "passengers in excess of capacity"[1] is a major source of public complaint about railway travel in the United Kingdom.

[2][3] Public resentment about overcrowding, combined with the high prices of tickets, have made this a political issue.

[6] As of 2016[needs update], the growth in train overcrowding is largely attributed to increased passenger demand, and the 'walk-up' nature of British railways, in which seat reservations are not required,[7] combined with the inability to run extra trains due to the limitations of the current railway signalling system.

[8] To resolve the latter problem, a transition to the European Train Control System (ETCS) is planned, which would allow many more trains to be run; by permitting them to be run closer together, while maintaining similar safety margins, potentially doubling capacity on some routes at busy times.

In August 2016, Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour Party leader, was featured in a video showing him sitting on the floor of a train, in which he made a statement about overcrowding.

Rail passengers in Great Britain from 1829 to 2023, showing the early era of small railway companies, the amalgamation into the 'big four', nationalisation, and finally the current era of privatisation.