To say that It feels like there's no effort to reduce train stress.

[hockeysticks89]

I'm sitting at Euston, having missed my hourly train by seconds. When I approached it (running, which is not an attractive look for me) at its proper departure time a guy blew a whistle at me and said no. He saw me coming but gave the lock doors command as I approached.

Fair enough but I know from experience that they only put the station up on the board for my Crewe train around five minutes before it departs, at which point everyone literally charges like crazed animals. If you're slightly infirm you're screwed, it's a health and safety nightmare.

There are more platforms than there are trains. Guards know in advance which station it's going from.

AIBU to state that there appears to be no desire to reduce the stress of train travel in this situation? Grrrrr

@Joinedforthis2021

For those that require additional assistance and extra time to board. Passenger assistance can be booked and can be met by the station team and taken to the train to be boarded up to 20 minutes before departure.

But there's a spectrum. I have arthritis. I'm not sufficiently disabled to feel that I could justify asking for passenger assistance, but the dash from the departures board to the platforms at either end is a significant challenge. If everyone like me asked for assistance they would be overwhelmed, but there are lots of us in this category. Why can't the announcements be made sooner? If those requiring assistance can be boarded 20 mins pre departure why can't everyone else get a few minutes longer? Or queue down the ramp to the platform like I remember from my youth? I don't need to be on the train before anyone elsr, I just need enough time to get to it before the doors shut and there are lots of people in the same boat.

15 years of Euston Hell.

The only way I found to combat this was to make friends with the despatch staff. They will tell you in advance as they know which trains will be despatched from which platform.

Just ask each time you are at the station, they are a very friendly bunch and are used to being asked.

God yes Euston is awful. Announce the platform 5 mins before departure time, then close the train doors 2 mins before departure time. It's stressful for the able-bodied and a total nightmare for those with kids, luggage or mobility issues.

I have no idea why it is so awful - other stations are much better and clearly the station management must decide in good time which trains go from which platform. It is a disgrace.

You were late! Train companies are targeted on being on time and doors close a minute or two in advance of leaving to meet this. Imagine if at every stop there was a delay for someone running for it. You would soon complain if you got home late every night.

@Onlyforcake

If it's not on the board it's being cleaned. BUT the information is out there before the info is on the board, it will be published on something like realtime trains, but of course it might change. If you approach a member of staff and explain your predicament (fast moving crowd) you can get assistance to board.

People shouldn't have to use an app to find out the platform. Euston should be giving details of the platform. It's incredibly discriminatory towards people who don't know of the app or just aren't tech-savvy. People shouldn't have to approach members of staff and ask for assistance just because they can't run either. Have you actually tried to approach anybody for help at Euston? I've never seen anybody available who could do that. As someone who is disabled why should I have to arrive at the station hours before people who are not disabled just so that Euston don't have to get it together to give the information necessary.

If could be any assistance, the form is very easy to fill in online. Could range from nervous traveller who just needs that extra little bit of assurance to ramp assistance.

That's what it's there for, don't feel embarrassed.

when I am on the train, I don't want it to wait for people, I want it to go on time please.

I'd much prefer them to wait literally 5-10 seconds so someone running for the train can catch it. We're not talking about a delay that will mean the train running late, literally just a few seconds.

At what point do you call a halt?

First person run downs 15 seconds..
2nd person runs down a further 30 seconds..
Oh wait here is another one..another 15 seconds.

4th person..shouts your discriminated you've just let those one..why not me..

Euston is the worst station ever. There's about 16 platforms and the same train seems to leave from a different platform each time so you can't second guess.

We moved out of London a few years ago and my main criteria was that I didn't have to get a train to and from Euston. I get my train from St Pancras. It's lovely and quite civillised.

YANBU. .

Train is 2 mins late getting to Milton Keynes..oh dear the train is being held at a red signal now as its lost its path and other trains have gone ahead instead as those were originally on time.

Ahh now it's 9 minutes late getting to Crewe, oh dear I've missed my connection to Chester and have to wait for a hour at Crewe for the next one...all because we waiting for those passengers at Euston.

@LIZS

You were late! Train companies are targeted on being on time and doors close a minute or two in advance of leaving to meet this. Imagine if at every stop there was a delay for someone running for it. You would soon complain if you got home late every night.

But she's late because they are late putting the platform up. I have often thought, while barrelling along on the notice they give, that there's a lot of potential accidents making people rush like that. The train will have been ready on the platform for ages before it goes on the board.

Unfortunately this is how the railway works and how that one minute delay can have a snowball effect.

"train will have been ready on the platform for ages before it goes on the board"

It has to be cleaned, restocked, train crew boarded and security checks done, only then can it go on the board and board begin.

But there's a spectrum. I have arthritis. I'm not sufficiently disabled to feel that I could justify asking for passenger assistance, but the dash from the departures board to the platforms at either end is a significant challenge. If everyone like me asked for assistance they would be overwhelmed, but there are lots of us in this category. Why can't the announcements be made sooner? If those requiring assistance can be boarded 20 mins pre departure why can't everyone else get a few minutes longer? Or queue down the ramp to the platform like I remember from my youth? I don't need to be on the train before anyone elsr, I just need enough time to get to it before the doors shut and there are lots of people in the same boat.

Exactly. Not everyone who is disabled is in a wheelchair. Some people just need five minutes more time to get to the platform. There's no way the assistance service could cater for all of them and it just seems incredibly discriminatory to make people with reduced mobility go through the extra effort of booking things in advance and turning up extra early and to ask for help just because Euston can't do what every other station in the UK seems to be able to do.

@Joinedforthis2021

"train will have been ready on the platform for ages before it goes on the board"

It has to be cleaned, restocked, train crew boarded and security checks done, only then can it go on the board and board begin.

There's no reason why people can't wait at the platform while they do that.

@Joinedforthis2021

"train will have been ready on the platform for ages before it goes on the board"

It has to be cleaned, restocked, train crew boarded and security checks done, only then can it go on the board and board begin.

I know it can't be boarded before then! But they can put on the noticeboard which platform it will depart from so people can wait nearby instead of having to charge along from the waiting area and miss the train.

How do you stop passengers boarding whilst all that occurs?

@Joinedforthis2021

How do you stop passengers boarding whilst all that occurs?

As I say, they can wait near to the platform if they don't wait on it.

But IME, when you are waiting on the platform, the crew are often getting the train ready. They keep the doors closed.

I feel a bit...head....brick wall....!

At Euston the doors are open as they have to be for the passengers assistance and cleaners/crew/restocking to be done.

Hence due to security, passengers are kept on the concourse until preparations are done.

I feel a bit..head..brick wall too

@Joinedforthis2021

I feel a bit..head..brick wall too

So what's wrong with telling passengers which platform so they can at least wait near to it?

Marylebone is getting as bad, didn't used to be.

@Joinedforthis2021

How do you stop passengers boarding whilst all that occurs?

You….. lock the doors of the train. Lol