Editing C2c (section)

===Overcrowding relief===
[[File:C2c passenger numbers.png|thumb|c2c passenger numbers (millions) 2011 – 2019 Q2 (rolling 12 month figure)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/html/excel/2b2e2c38-c822-4e1f-9fb4-b049b3c13899 |title=ORR passenger numbers by train operating company |publisher=[[Office of Rail and Road|ORR]] |access-date=9 March 2016 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130011335/https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/Error.html?aspxerrorpath=%2Fdisplayreport%2Fhtml%2Fexcel%2F2b2e2c38-c822-4e1f-9fb4-b049b3c13899 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/8de03530-6f8e-43c7-bb98-c26d989a9b0c |title=Display Report &#124; Office of Rail Regulation - National Rail Trends Portal |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115082856/https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/8de03530-6f8e-43c7-bb98-c26d989a9b0c |archive-date=15 November 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>]]

As part of the 2014 franchise, c2c committed to leasing new trains to cope with rising passenger numbers, which were boosted especially by the opening of the [[Docklands Light Railway]] station at {{rws|West Ham}} in 2011 and the rise of Canary Wharf as a financial centre.<ref name="London Rec">{{Cite web |url=https://www.londonreconnections.com/2016/times-changing-c2c/ |title=c2c: The Timetables, They Are A Changin' |website=londonreconnections.com |date=3 February 2016 |access-date=22 March 2022 |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923135301/https://www.londonreconnections.com/2016/times-changing-c2c/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Class 357 trains had been introduced with high density 3+2 seating, with a total capacity of 406, consisting of 282 seats and space for 124 standing. In late 2015 c2c adapted 20% of its carriages into a "Metro" configuration, involving removing seats around doorways and converting trains to a 2+2 layout. The Metro configuration's capacity is 556, consisting of 222 seats, and space for 334 standing.<ref name="Route 2020">{{cite web |title=Essex Thameside Study |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Essex-Thameside-Study.pdf |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=15 February 2023 |date=July 2020}}</ref> This addressed the issue of the high volumes of passengers using c2c to travel between stations on the [[District line|District Line]]; between {{rws|West Ham}}, {{rws|Barking}}, and {{rws|Upminster}} c2c trains stop less frequently and they travel further from the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travel-information/timetables-trains/new-trains/ |title=c2c New trains |access-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315164353/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travel-information/timetables-trains/new-trains/ |archive-date=15 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

During early 2016, c2c announced that it would lease additional trains to relieve overcrowding.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travelling-with-us/timetables-and-trains/c2c-director-timetable-updates/package-of-changes-to-improve-peak-services/ |title=Package of changes to improve peak services - Trains to/from London, Southend & Essex with c2c Rail |website=c2c-online.co.uk |access-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021151532/https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travelling-with-us/timetables-and-trains/c2c-director-timetable-updates/package-of-changes-to-improve-peak-services/ |archive-date=21 October 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Later that year, the company commenced a lease on six [[British Rail Class 387|Class 387s]] for three years from [[Porterbrook]] to increase capacity on the busiest services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travelling-with-us/timetables-and-trains/c2c-director-timetable-updates/brand-new-carriages-in-production-in-derby/ |title=Brand-new carriages in production in Derby - Trains to/from London, Southend & Essex with c2c Rail |website=c2c-online.co.uk |access-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021151502/https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travelling-with-us/timetables-and-trains/c2c-director-timetable-updates/brand-new-carriages-in-production-in-derby/ |archive-date=21 October 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/c2c-electrostar-emus-under-construction.html |title=c2c Electrostar EMUs under construction |publisher=Railway Gazette International |date=5 July 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The first Class 387 set entered service in November 2016.<ref name=IRJ161116>{{cite web |url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/commuter-rail/essex-thameside-emu-tender-launched-as-class-387s-enter-service.html |title=Essex Thameside EMU tender launched as Class 387s enter service |publisher=[[International Railway Journal]] |date=16 November 2016 |access-date=13 July 2017 |archive-date=17 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117150516/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/commuter-rail/essex-thameside-emu-tender-launched-as-class-387s-enter-service.html |url-status=live }}</ref>