Passengers weighed to stop overcrowding

Commuters are to be weighed as they squeeze aboard packed trains in an attempt by rail bosses to work out exactly how overcrowded services are.

Train operator Southeastern is linking the suspension of its carriages to a computer system that works out the weight of passengers getting on at each station. Other rail firms are installing laser beams across carriage doors to count exactly how many people board each service.

Southeastern, which carries 200,000 commuters in and out of London during the morning peak, operates the region's two most congested rail services - the 8.03am Orpington to Charing Cross service and the 6.32am from Folkestone Central to Cannon Street.

Brian Rowley, service specification manager, said the new computer-counting system was a "real step forward" in the fight to ease overcrowding.

Other commuter operators - including Southern Railways and South West Trains - are also installing equipment to collect more detailed information than ever before.

Stagecoach-owned SWT is to use laser counters on carriage doors.