As an Epsom resident, we had our MPs regular updated emailed yesterday. One of the issues he addressess is overcrowding on the Waterloo bound services, particularly from Worcester Park, explaining that he is pushng for more services but stock shortage prevents this until the 701 introduction. He writes:
'At the moment the issue is that they do not have enough rolling stock to increase the number of services. The new ten coach trains have been delivered, but the company has not yet been able to reach an agreement with the unions to use them. Very frustrating. And the passengers suffer. When and if this gets resolved, the first new trains will go onto the Windsor line, but SWR have promised to make extra capacity available on our line at that time. In the meantime I am pushing them at least to reorganise their existing fleet to get a couple of ten coach services into the morning peak for the time being. I will keep you updated'.
Now he is a consrvative, and was, I believe, Transport Secretary at the time of the award to SWR, nut given he says he has recently met with SWR I assume what he says is the case.