'Beyond a joke now': Rail passengers share misery of morning commute

Passengers have reported people fainting in the carriages, services being cancelled, and "dangerous" crowded platforms.

Commuters have been sharing their frustrations on social media as another week begins with a reduced service on Northern Rail trains.

The company has apologised and said the interim timetable was introduced to improve reliability amid major changes across the network timetable.

But passengers say they've been left with overcrowded, "dangerous" services, or trains which don't show up at all.

Here are some of the issues customers have flagged up:

  • Passengers taken ill

  • Crowded platforms

  • Toilets opened to allow more people to board

A commuter travelling from Liverpool to Manchester reported that rail staff had opened the toilets on his service to get more passengers on, commenting "when's this madness going to stop!"

Dr John Hindley said toilets were being opened to free up standing space. Credit: Dr John Hindley

  • Cancelled services

Some commuters reported services vanishing off arrival boards. Credit: Dr John Hindley