Review of South Western Railway from Bournemouth to Southampton.

A photo of a train (Cross Country) on the opposite platform at Bournemouth Station.

Today, I travelled from Bournemouth Train Station to Southampton for a talk on communication and disability. I used South Western Railway on the way there and Cross Country Trains on the way back, but this review focuses solely on my experience with South Western Railway.

Entrance & Navigation:

I’ve used Bournemouth station for work a few times, and as someone who finds travel anxiety-provoking, I often feel like I’m moments away from getting lost. One comforting feature at Bournemouth is the presence of South Western Railway staff at both station entrances. This, combined with clear displays and frequent travel announcements, provided a sense of reassurance. Both entrances have level access, and there’s a quieter area within the Starbucks on platform 2, where I knew I could go if I felt anxious.

To avoid the stress of waiting, I timed my arrival just before the train was scheduled to leave. Although it was delayed by around 4 minutes, which didn’t help my anxiety, I appreciated having a manageable waiting time.

Seating & Space:

Bournemouth station doesn’t have a lift to connect platforms, but there’s a bridge and a separate tunnel between platforms 2 and 3, which avoids stairs for those who need it. I’ve tripped on those stairs before when rushing, so I was glad to be on the correct platform for Southampton and didn’t need to cross over.

Ramps are available to assist wheelchair users boarding from the platform. When the train arrived, I entered a carriage with accessible seating and a designated wheelchair space. However, a suitcase was left in the wheelchair area without any sign advising against this, and the guard passed by without addressing it. Just past this area was a toilet and additional seating, separated by a glass partition with a gap for the walkway.

Visual & Sensory Experience:

The lighting on the train was moderate, and the noise level was manageable, especially with my noise-canceling headphones. Recently, South Western Railway announced a trial of Signapse, an AI-generated service that delivers information visually for D/deaf passengers. Although I didn’t notice any QR codes or signage about this, it could be beneficial to increase visibility of this service for passengers who may need it.

Staff Support:

The guard on board made announcements and moved through the train between Bournemouth and Southampton. When checking my ticket, they were friendly and polite. Navigating travel logistics can be confusing for me—I even booked the wrong ticket recently—but staff are typically approachable and helpful when I need clarification.

Facilities:

The train was clean, and I found a seat, which is often a challenge, especially near rush hour. Accessible seating can frequently be taken by non-disabled passengers, and as someone who feels uncomfortable asking for a seat, I often end up standing, even when in pain. Fortunately, on this trip, the accessible seating was clear. The train’s bins, built into the wall near the toilet, appeared recently emptied.

South Western Railway provides helpful information on their website about booking assistance. Assistance can be requested at any time during your journey, though booking at least 2 hours in advance is recommended. Their website includes a helpful video explaining how the guard can assist at unmanned stations and what steps to take for smooth boarding and deboarding, especially valuable for neurodivergent passengers who may find navigation challenging.

Chandy’s Rating (Out of 5 Chandy’s):

🍺🍺🍺🍺/5 Chandy’s

Overall, South Western Railway provided a mostly smooth and supportive travel experience, with some areas for improvement in accessibility awareness.