Recent data released by the Department for Transport (DfT) has highlighted the most overcrowded train services in England and Wales.

According to the DfT report, a morning Thameslink service from Bedford to Three Bridges was at 176% capacity upon reaching London St Pancras at 8.09 am.

Additionally, evening rush hour trains were also heavily packed, with a West Midlands service from London Euston to Crewe operating at 170% capacity at 5.46 pm and a Transport for Wales train from Bridgend to Rhymney at 161% capacity at 4.45 pm in Llanishen.

The DfT data was collected during a typical autumn weekday, focusing on passenger counts between September 16 and December 13, 2025, on Tuesdays to Thursdays.

During this period, approximately one in five passengers (20%) had to stand during peak hours, a number that increased to one in four in London.

Peak times were defined as trains arriving in city centers between 7 am and 9:59 am and departing between 4 pm and 6:59 pm. Despite the high demand, overcrowding slightly decreased, with an average of 16,800 daily passengers exceeding capacity, representing 1.1% of all travelers, down by 0.2 percentage points compared to the previous year.

London recorded the highest number of daily arrivals at 1,256,600 passengers, significantly surpassing Birmingham, which had around 116,700 daily arrivals, the second-highest figure.

Overall, there were 1,923,600 daily passenger arrivals on average, a 3% increase from the previous year, indicating a growing demand post the pandemic.

A spokesperson from the DfT stated that the majority of passengers (98.9%) typically travel on services that are not overcrowded. Efforts are being made to enhance capacity during peak hours, with operators like GTR and South Western Railway expanding services and introducing timetable changes to accommodate more passengers.

The integration of track and train under Great British Railways aims to further enhance services and prioritize passenger needs.

In response to the findings, a Thameslink spokesperson emphasized their commitment to monitoring service capacity and making adjustments to provide additional space for passengers. They highlighted recent efforts such as train lengthening and the introduction of peak-time services to offer more options and alleviate overcrowding.