Data from the NSW government shows which South Coast trains are the most crowded during peak hour.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They also show which trains to catch for the best chance of getting a seat.
The issue of crowding of trains has been a frustration for South Coast commuters travelling to Sydney.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) measures train loads every March and September, with the latest available figures from September 2015.
The load data is measured as a percentage – a 100 per cent loading means every seat is taken, 110 per cent sees six or seven people standing in each vestibule, while 120 per cent will mean 11-12 people are standing.
In the morning peak the figures state, at Helensburgh each train has empty seats – with the exception of the 7.08am from Port Kembla with a load of 101 per cent.
However, by the time trains enter the Sydney network, the 7.12am is the most crowded with a load of 167 per cent at Hurstville.
This means passengers are standing in the aisles on the upper and lower levels
According to the statistics, the 6.12am train is the best to find a seat with just a 9 per cent loading at Helensburgh.
In the evening the train to avoid is the 5.26pm from Central which hits 127 per cent loading when it arrives at Redfern.
The best bet for a seat is the 4.24pm from Central, which has just a 54 per cent loading at Redfern.
A TfNSW spokeswoman said train loads are regularly monitored across the network, “particularly Intercity services where customers face longer commutes”.
The spokeswoman said having passengers standing for some part of their journey “is the reality of train travel right around the world.”
“Loading up to 135 per cent is expected when you’re traveling closer to the CBD, however for longer intercity commutes, our aim is to provide seating,” she said.
“All South Coast AM and PM average loads are well below the 135 per cent benchmark.”