| MERTON'S COMMUTER CRUSH GETTING WORSE |
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November 2005 Overcrowding on London commuter trains has risen dramatically since 1997, according to new figures released by the Liberal Democrats on 21 November 2005. This includes a 65% increase in the number of excess passengers trying to use South West Trains in the mornings. South West Trains, which operates services from Raynes Park, Motspur Park and Wimbledon mainline stations, suffered from the third largest percentage increase in the number of excess passengers amongst providers of morning rail services in London. Commenting on the figures, Peter Taylor, of West Barnes Lib Dem Focus Team, said: "This is shocking proof that rail travel is getting worse - and it won't get any better as the weather gets colder. Many of Merton's residents use these commuter trains on a daily basis; we need public transport that is comfortable and safe. "As a matter of urgency, Merton Council needs to start lobbying the Government to ensure that they seriously examine whether Eurostar platforms at Waterloo can be used for domestic services once Eurostar moves to St Pancras - only by ensuring extra capacity can we improve this situation."
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