Brief
Southeastern cancels services after suspected bedbugs spotted on train
Two driver cabs were treated in September, but no passenger‑area infestations were confirmed this week.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Six Southeastern services were cancelled earlier this week after staff reported suspected bedbugs on a City Beam train operating between Kent and London, Standard reported.
What happened
Photographs taken at Slade Green Depot in Bexley showed insects between seats on a train departing from the depot. An internal email said a driver based in Hastings saw three insects on a poster near a door, while a log from the Kent Integrated Control Centre recorded an “infestation” reported by an off‑duty employee. The train was removed from service at Dartford, leading to knock‑on cancellations, and the carriages stayed out of use on Friday.
What the reports add
Inspectors later examined the passenger areas and reported finding no evidence of bedbugs. The operator confirmed that the only two confirmed incidents this year occurred in September, when insects were found in drivers’ cabs, not in passenger spaces. Photographs submitted by the public were identified as other species, with the operator noting that colder weather brings different insects.
What was said
Steve White, managing director of Southeastern, said, “Two driver cabs (out of 800) have been treated and the furniture in a depot.” Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staff Association, warned, “Passengers boarding trains should not have to worry about taking bedbugs home, and our transport workers deserve to feel safe at work.” David Wornham, Customer Experience Director at South Eastern Railway, added, “We are disappointed to read media reports that continue to imply that bedbugs are on our railway… expert contractors have confirmed that there have been no bedbugs found on Southeastern trains in areas used by passengers.”
Key facts
- Six Southeastern services were cancelled after suspected bedbugs were reported. (standard.co.uk)
- Inspectors found no evidence of bedbugs in passenger areas of the train. (standard.co.uk)
- Only two driver cabs were treated for bedbugs in September, out of 800 cabs. (standard.co.uk)
- Steve White said two driver cabs were treated and furniture in a depot was addressed. (standard.co.uk)
- Maryam Eslamdoust called for swift cleaning and reassurance for passengers and staff. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Southeastern trains cancelled after suspected bedbugs found 'crawling between seats'”
