Bed Bugs Force Train Service Suspension in Britain
Sajid Ali | Published October 03, 2026 | 05:18 PM
Concerns spread among staff and passengers after bed bugs were found inside carriages, with drivers refusing to board affected trains and some services removed from the schedule.
LONDON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Oct, 2026) Train services have been suspended in southern England following an outbreak of bed bugs.
According to a report by British newspaper The Telegraph, several trains operated by Southeastern were removed from the schedule after staff saw bed bugs crawling inside the carriages. The issue is affecting the West Marina train care depot near Hastings in East Sussex. Reports of bed bugs have also emerged on Southeastern’s High Speed 1 services, raising concerns that the insects may be spreading rapidly.
Train drivers reportedly refused to board the affected trains and accused their managers of failing to take the serious problem seriously. As a result, at least three services were cancelled on Friday, while additional trains have been taken out of service since the first incident was reported on 22 September.
It was learned that on Tuesday, a train sarcastically dubbed the “Bed Bug Express” by staff made several trips between stations in London and Kent. Two carriages were closed and taken out of use after a driver spotted insects in part of the train.
In a statement, Southeastern Railway said these were a few isolated incidents and that it had the full cooperation of its drivers. The company said bed bugs had been found only in the cabins of two drivers and that no passenger seating area had been affected. Two further trains were removed from service for inspection, but were found to be completely clean and subsequently returned to service.