On 10 Sep 2014 at 8:02am GJT82 wrote:
Hi - I wondered if anyone here commutes to London from Plumpton using the Southern trains service (or commutes from Lewes on the trains which run via Plumpton)? I'm looking for advice on how reliable and busy these services are at peak times (e.g. is it possible to sit, are trains frequently cancelled on this line?) thanks.
On 10 Sep 2014 at 8:26am Southern Sam wrote:
What time? 0742 leaves Lewes and is very reliable. It's the Gatwick express so a bit more comfy too. Always seating. Never had to stand.
On 10 Sep 2014 at 8:41am GJT82 wrote:
Thanks Sam. I was thinking more about the trains that have come from Lewes but then stop in Plumpton and go on to London Victoria (which I don't think the Gatwick Express service you mention does?). I'd be travelling around 0730. Perhaps most commuters from Lewes will use the quicker services and so the Plumpton trains will not be too busy.
On 10 Sep 2014 at 9:49am Commuter5 wrote:
Hello, the trains usually run on time and you will get a seat up to Haywards Heath; I've been commuting for five years and have never not got a seat at Lewes. Yes there is the odd problem which people remember far more than the many times it ran without issue. They are more crowded during the day as they are 4 carriages rather than 12. All Lewes trains in the morning stop at Plumpton. The train you want is the 722 from Lewes, arrives Plumpton about 10 minutes later; it's one of the busier ones but you'll still get a seat, albeit further back or in the 'ironing board' seat sections. Bizarrely while all trains in the day go to Victoria 3 trains in the morning rush hour and 2 in the evening go to London Bridge.
On 10 Sep 2014 at 11:04am Paul wrote:
The London bridge one is not a Gatwick express it just uses those old train stock. You will get a seat and the service isn't crowded - it just takes a long long time. it's a tough commute - there is no way around this fact....
On 10 Sep 2014 at 12:30pm Commuter5 wrote:
"It's a tough commute - there is no way around this fact...."
Maybe I'm weird, but I enjoy having an hour to myself to read a book, listen to music, watch a film or look out of the window....
A tough commute, for me, would be 45 minutes standing stuck, sardine-like, on a tube train crossing London, in a hot sweaty atmosphere surrounded by all manner of body odours. Which I used to do. My commute from Lewes is a luxury in comparison.
On 10 Sep 2014 at 9:06pm Howie wrote:
I'm with Paul but then I have been mad enough to commute for 20 years. You will get a seat at Plumpton and it is a bit of a shorter commute than Lewes but if you can get a job near Victoria or London Bridge otherwise it is an hour + the rest. Plumpton is a lovely place though...
On 10 Sep 2014 at 9:18pm GJT82 wrote:
Thanks very much to you all. I'm really looking forward to moving to the area soon so it's good to get some insight as to what I can expect commuting into London. The 0722 from Lewes (0732 at Plumpton) is the one I had in mind so that's all good. I don't mind the length of journey too much as long as I can sit down! Hopefully I'll still feel like that after a few months of doing it..!
On 10 Sep 2014 at 9:42pm Country Boy wrote:
05:37 ex Plumpton is surpisingly busy but everyone tends to be sleeping. Spare seats but can get busy north of Haywards Heath.
06:13 ex Plumpton is now getting very busy. Seats available but you may have to ask someone to move bags etc. very popular with airport passengers.
07:01 ex Plumpton is very busy, quite a challenge to get a seat easily.
07:32 ex Plumpton not so busy as 07:01 but still get the odd tutt when asking people to move to enable you to sit down.
Generally Plumpton is busy because of the free parking - people travel from as far as Newhaven to park there!
On 11 Sep 2014 at 1:58pm PLUMPTON LAD wrote:
As others have said, 7.32 is your best bet. While there can be the odd bad day or cancelled train, generally I find the service is pretty good. Also really helpful guy who works in the ticket office there.