Busy or quiet?

[bramling]

It is rather telling, that on a forum full of people with an interest in the railways, in the context of the question I asked, 85% of formers would prefer a quiet train over seeing the train being busy, content in the knowledge that the industry is thriving.

There is something to be read in to the collective mindset here.

Surely most people would prefer to be on a quiet train given the choice? I wouldn’t say that mindset is unusual. Whether it’s realistic is another matter, but it strikes me as entirely rational.

 

[BeijingDave]

I generally go to the end of the train I believe will be quite.

On many subway systems (not the London Underground, which is haphazard), people are sent onto the platforms by steps at either ends of carbon copy stations.

Except for rush hour, you can always find almost empty carriages if you board from the middle of the platform.

There are often signs imploring people to move to the middle of the platform/train but these are often ignored, presumably because people want easy access to steps off the platform when they alight.

 

[Purple Orange]

Certainly beats being sat in an office (or more recently at home!) for 37.5 hours a week anyway!

Unfortunately many of us who work in an office (or at home) aren’t in a position to only work our contracted 37.5 hours per week!

Surely most people would prefer to be on a quiet train given the choice? I wouldn’t say that mindset is unusual. Whether it’s realistic is another matter, but it strikes me as entirely rational.

Ah, but that is not the question...

Do you prefer a carriage with relatively few passengers in it, or do you prefer to see it full of people, getting confidence that the industry is thriving?

The opening question is caveated in the context of the health of the industry. I’ll admit it was intentionally subtle. What people on the forum are voting for is essentially a declining railway.

 

[BeijingDave]

It's not really a surprise. This is the way people think in other domains too.

"I hope my favourite cafe that I go to do some work in is quiet" (if it's quiet most of the time it will close)

 

[david1212]

Busy is not defined but if
- busy is 65-79% capacity
- very busy is 80-89% capacity
- crowded is 90 - 99% capacity
- overcrowded is 100% + capacity
realistically I prefer busy because the service ought to be viable with reasonable fares.
I am considering services where 100% capacity is every seat occupied rather than where the official train capacity is based on some standing.

The railway is now dependant on a higher proportion of discretionary travellers for income. If trains are crowded so they can not get a seat together with the group they are with it will be a disincentive to use rail in the future. I suspect most single travellers prefer a pair of seats to themself.

 

[Peter0124]

Quiet coaches, whilst I would like trains to keep running (therefore requiring more passengers), the peace and quiet is necessary for a happy journey! Can also therefore choose a seat