Petts wood - commute to London

[Mum1414]

Hiya,

I'm hoping to get some information on the commute from Petts Wood station to London Bridge in the mornings as my partner and I are considering moving there.

Can anyone let me know what the morning commute (roughly 07:15 departure) looks like in terms of whether you get a seat and, if not, how packed the standing space is? Going back I'm less concerned about as we both generally work late when it would be less busy.

Thinking more in terms of when things are back to normal (whatever that looks with more WFH...etc).

Thanks in advance :)

Thinking more in terms of when things are back to normal (whatever that looks with more WFH...etc).

Problem is that is unknowable! Anyway, we live in Isleworth, so I'll shut up now.

Well yes of course it's unknowable, but I'm hoping people will be able to comment on what it was like before lockdowns as a proxy for how it might be afterward

Pre lockdown (based on a limited sample) it was busy (no guarantee of a seat every time but you would have enough space to get on the train and being in the right spot on the station where the doors open meant the first handful or so in would get a seat). Fractionally earlier or an hour or so later you had a better chance of getting a seat. Standing space could get tight as it was a stopping service so lots more people getting on and subsequent stations. Particularly if there were cancellations on other lines. Going back down the line to Orpington means you could get the fast train direct to London Bridge. No idea currently though or if timings of the trains still work out.

Thanks cakemonster! Would others agree?

I would say you’d be fine for a seat. I regularly used to get the 7.45 ish to Cannon St from PW and I would walk down the platform and always got a seat if I positioned myself where the doors opened. On sunny days when some cycled or Fridays it wasn’t so important and seats available for all. I always felt sorry for those at Grove Park that sometimes couldn’t even get on on a bad day when the previous train was cancelled.

Great options from Petts Wood if the trains are up the wall as it doesn’t just have the one line you’ve got Blackfriars and Victoria trains too. Engineering works at weekends also mean you aren’t cut off from London as other options usually available. DD has friends at a school in Orpington who come from all over London and Kent and Petts Wood and orpington is where they all meet up for socialising due to the train options.