Introducing the Stratford Crush Index

Practising for the Central Line Crush

I have devised a new measure of commuter crushability: How many passengers can you pack in the space between the double doors of a Central Line train?

Remember these are among the diddiest Tube carriages and that anyone over 6ft tall cannot stand straight in the outer fifths of the carriage. And anyone who can recall games such as How Many People Can You Pack In A Mini? should bear in mind that you tended to invite the shortest and skinniest to that challenge.

On my new Stratford Crush Index, I declare an initial Central Line record of 25 people standing between the double doors at 8.35 am today between Bethnal Green and Liverpool Street. At least that was all I could see…

The Crush challenge was heightened today by yet another problem surrounding Stratford station, just five months before the Olympics.

Our 0800 train from Billericay arrived at Stratford with the eventual announcement that signalling problems between Stratford and Liverpool Street meant severe delays. (And sure enough cancellations as well.)

Hence a rush across to the Central Line, joining the already packed trains.

I’m worried enough about getting through Stratford on a normal day – let alone during the Olympics.

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