At present, mobile phone apps and other online services such as National Rail Enquiries are not being updated with realtime alterations to platform numbers. At some stations apps show the platform number services are planned to go from, while at other stations platform numbers may not be shown at all.
How does this affect me?
When travelling, you should double check the platform number your train will go from using the traditional Customer Information Screens located around our stations. These are maintained with the latest platform information using an automated link to the signalling system, and will always reflect the most current information available.
During times when trains are disrupted this is especially important, as services can change platforms at short notice as we either work around problems such as a broken down train, or use alternative carriages to form a service.
Does this affect other train information such as the stops a train will make?
No. Information about where a train will call at is currently being supplied by a separate system which is unaffected by this issue.
Are all Train Companies affected?
This issue only affects platform numbers at stations which are run by South West Trains and Southern Railway.
Why has this happened?
Updates to platform numbers on mobile phone apps and other services are normally provided by the same system which updates our Customer Information Screens around stations. Whenever a train has a platform altered, this will be shown on station screens, and also fed via a link to the online National Rail Enquiries system (known as Darwin) which powers the majority of mobile phone apps and online journey planners used in the UK.
As part of a program to better connect our station information system to the National Rail Enquiries system we have had to temporarily disconnect this link to allow software updates and testing to take place.
When will this link be restored?
We expect the link to be restored early in the new year, once testing and upgrades have been completed.
