Two commuter trains cancelled after bedbugs found in driver cabs
Southeastern isolated the trains at West Marina Depot in Hastings and assured passengers no bugs were present in passenger areas or on High Speed 1 services
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On 22 September drivers on two commuter services reported bedbugs in their cabs. As a result, Southeastern cancelled the affected services and isolated the trains at West Marina Depot in Hastings, according to a statement from the rail operator.
Background to the incident
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The two trains were operating on mainline routes that run from London through Battle, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. The discovery prompted immediate action because the cabs are shared spaces for drivers and passengers accessing the train. Southeastern said the trains remained in service only long enough to reach a suitable location for inspection and, if required, treatment.
Southeastern's response
Southeastern confirmed that the insects were confined to the drivers' cabs and that no bedbugs were found in any passenger areas. The company also clarified that no High Speed 1 trains were affected. In a social media post, the operator said the trains were locked to isolate passenger compartments from the cabs while cleaning crews carried out thorough treatment.
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Cases have been contained to the drivers' cabs in only two of our trains and no bed bugs have been identified in areas for passengers.
Oly Turner, head of drivers at Southeastern
Impact on commuters
The cancellations disrupted journeys for commuters travelling from London to Kent and East Sussex. Passengers were advised to seek alternative routes or modes of transport until the affected services could be cleared. Southeastern's spokesperson said the firm cleans all trains and stations thoroughly so passengers can travel safely and with confidence, as reported by BBC London.
Next steps
Southeastern will complete inspections and any necessary treatment before returning the two trains to passenger service. The operator plans to resume the regular timetable from the following day, subject to clearance from health and safety officials. Passengers who missed their journeys may contact the rail company's customer service for refunds or rebooking, although no formal compensation scheme has been announced yet.
Questions this report answers
+Why were the train services cancelled?
The services were cancelled because drivers found bedbugs in the cabs of two trains on 22 September. Southeastern isolated the trains at West Marina Depot to prevent any spread and to allow thorough inspection and treatment before they could run again.
+Which routes were affected by the cancellations?
The cancelled services ran on mainline routes that pass through Battle, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks, connecting London with Kent and East Sussex. No High Speed 1 routes were impacted, as confirmed by the operator.
+Will passengers be reimbursed for missed journeys?
Southeastern has not announced a specific compensation scheme, but passengers who missed their journeys are advised to contact the rail company's customer service for possible refunds or rebooking. The operator says cleaning and safety measures are being applied to restore confidence.
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