| Bedbugs lead to cancellations of day trains - not the Bedpan line either! Posted by grahame at 18:31, 3rd October 2026 |     |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3kgqwyp4n12o?
A number of train services were cancelled after drivers discovered bedbugs in their cabs.
Carriages on two affected trains were locked to isolate passenger areas from the cabs, said Southeastern, which operates services in Kent, East Sussex and Greater London.
The rail firm said the trains only remained in service while they "returned to a suitable location for inspection and if necessary, treatment".
The cancellations took place on mainline routes after the bugs were spotted on 22 September. None of the insects were found on any High Speed 1 trains, it added.
In a social media post, Southeastern said the affected trains were based at the West Marina Depot in Hastings, the terminus point for trains from London.
Services on the route go via Battle, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.
A spokesperson for the firm said trains and stations are cleaned "thoroughly" so passengers can "travel safely and with confidence".
Carriages on two affected trains were locked to isolate passenger areas from the cabs, said Southeastern, which operates services in Kent, East Sussex and Greater London.
The rail firm said the trains only remained in service while they "returned to a suitable location for inspection and if necessary, treatment".
The cancellations took place on mainline routes after the bugs were spotted on 22 September. None of the insects were found on any High Speed 1 trains, it added.
In a social media post, Southeastern said the affected trains were based at the West Marina Depot in Hastings, the terminus point for trains from London.
Services on the route go via Battle, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.
A spokesperson for the firm said trains and stations are cleaned "thoroughly" so passengers can "travel safely and with confidence".
When I lived on the London - Sevenoaks - Tunbridge Wells - Hastings axis, I can't remember any such problems. Are electric trains more prone to bedbugs?
