COMMUTERS continue to face problems with trains only running with two carriages at peak times through Bolton.

An MP has even tabled a question for the Transport Secretary over the issue with short-formed trains on Northern services.

Commuters on morning peak trains from Blackburn to Manchester Victoria, through Bromley Cross, Hall I’ Th’ Wood and Bolton, are continuing to be left on platforms or rammed into trains because they do not have enough carriages.

On Monday, commuters have reported both the 7.29am and 7.50am arriving at Bromley Cross with just two carriages and customers being forced to squeeze in and some left behind at Hall I’ Th’ Wood.

In November, commuters reported the issue of only two carriages had been an infrequent problem for around a year but had got worse in the autumn.

One said that if anything the problem has got worse and at least twice a week there are just two carriages on the 7.29 service.

He said: “It is never ever four carriages, apart from today for some reason. Three carriages and you are standing, certainly be Hall I’ Th’ Wood. Two carriages and it is appalling.

“The 6.47am has been cancelled a fair few times in recent weeks and the 7.29am and 7.50am are often two carriages, I would say at least twice a week.

“I would say on balance it is usually three but very often two, and that is a disgrace.”

MP for Bolton North East, Sir David Crausby has again written to Northern about the issue and tabled two questions for the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling MP.

The questions are what penalties can be imposed on rail operators who repeatedly use short-formed trains and how many short-formed trains were run by Northern in each month from the beginning of its franchise agreement date.

Sir David said: “We have had so many problems over so many years. It is not acceptable at all.

“The reason for two carriage trains is not leaves on the line it is under investment.

“People are paying more and more for their rail fare. The least they are entitled to is to be able to sit down and if not, not to be crammed in like sardines.”

He called for the rail network to be brought back into public ownership to sort the problem.